WATCH VIDEO - Shikhar Dhawan counters short ball by playing tennis and cricket in practice

Australia is currently gripped with cricket and the Australian Open. The Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena are close to each other and it gives sporting fans a great opportunity to witness both marquee events. However, Shikhar Dhawan, the left-handed opener for India has decided to get the best of both sports and is apparently inspired by the action which is going on at the Rod Laver Arena. In the practice session before the Melbourne ODI, Dhawan used tennis and cricket to get his batting in order. In a video uploaded on Cricket Australia, Dhawan was seen practising the short ball and utilised the values of tennis in order to prepare for the bouncer barrage that he could be confronted in the game in Melbourne.

When asked about the drill, Dhawan explained that it was a method to counter the short ball. “The drill is to keep my muscle memory and reflexes quick for bouncers as Australia has fast bowlers. As an opener, I make sure that my reflexes are quick and my decision making becomes even strong. It is a repetitive drill. I like doing it. Anywhere we play nowadays, two bouncers are allowed. It is a good weapon for bowlers and it is a good opportunity to score runs off bouncers,” Dhawan said.

In the video, MS Dhoni smashed a forehand and Dhawan responded by pulling the short ball on leg stump. The bowling coach also gave some forehands to which Dhawan played with a certain degree of ease. It is a well-known fact that Dhawan sometimes struggles against the short ball and the Delhi left-hander wants to counter the bouncer barrage and score some runs in a quick manner. In the past, videos have emerged from Australia where opposition team batsmen combat the extra bounce on offer by banging balls on a concrete slab placed in the middle of the practice strip.

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Dhawan showed glimpses of his good form in the ODI in Adelaide when he smashed 32 off 28 balls. He had a magnificent time in the Twenty20 series as he ended 2018 with a record tally of runs, managing 676 runs and creating a world record for most runs in a calendar year. in Twenty20 Internationals. Dhawan would be hoping to end the tour on the ultimate high with a match-winning knock in Melbourne, his new home away from home.

A solid show from Dhawan will put him in a great frame of mind as they look to put in a better show in the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand which begins on January 23.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dhawan scored a quickfire 32 in the Adelaide ODI against Australia
• Dhawan ended 2018 as the leading run-getter in T20Is
• India are aiming to end historic tour with win in MCG