Top-order dilemma is not my headache: Shikhar Dhawan

PUNE: Despite his often flickering form and a perceived inability to accelerate like some others at the top of the T20I order, opener Shikhar Dhawan has a few things going for him.
As the debate rages over who should partner Rohit Sharma once he reclaims one opening slot, Dhawan - returning from injury in the series against Sri Lanka - has shown he can still hold his own. In Indore, Dhawan scored 32 off 29 balls and looked quietly assured, even though at times he showed signs of some rust.In Pune on Friday night, he scored a more dominating 52, off just 36 balls, as India won the series.
Besides providing a crucial left-hander quotient to complement Rohit, Dhawan has the penchant for delivering when the chips are down. Precision through the off-side and stepping out to the pacers in the Powerplay come naturally to him. He can transform his strike rate, and India's fortunes, within a few balls, just like he did against the Lankans on Friday night.
Over the years, there has been no solid replacement for Dhawan in white-ball cricket. However, the rise of KL Rahul is making the Delhi batsman fight for his place in the shortest format. Injuries have not helped Dhawan's cause either.
On the comeback trail, Dhawan played knocks of 32 and 52 in the second and third T20Is against Sri Lanka. "It wasn't difficult (to return). I accepted I got injured and I couldn't do much about it," he said after India beat Lanka by 78 runs in Pune.

"I was doing my rehab, focusing on training and got myself fitter and stronger. (In) the latter half, I prepared myself at the NCA, then I went and played Ranji Trophy and did very well out there."
Dhawan feels that the top-order dilemma is not his headache. "All three players are doing well. Rohit had an excellent 2019. Rahul has been doing good in the last two months and he is a good player and even main bhi picture mei aaya ga hoon, maine bhi aaj acha kar diya hai (I am also back in the frame, I played well today). Toh picture achchi ban rahi hai abhi, khair yeh sardardi meri nahi hai (the movie is building up quite nicely, this is not my headache). It is in my hands to perform and play well. I am happy and satisfied that I got two opportunities and was able to express myself," he said.
Dhawan said that the team management was trying out different combinations in the batting lineup. On Friday, Rishabh Pant was dropped and his replacement Sanju Samson was promoted to No.3, with Shreyas Iyer coming at No.5.

"Today (Friday) also we wanted to try other players who haven't batted in the series and give them a fair chance. As a team we want to give chances to everyone and that's why they've been rotating players. By the time the T20 World Cup comes, everyone will be refined and know their job well," he said.
"It is more (important) to give players (time), like how Sanju Samson came in today, then Shreyas, so they can get more time in the middle. This is the best time to experiment and once we know this or that guy is clicking, we can go ahead with that (particular) pattern," said Dhawan.