"Playing For The Next Three Years...": Shikhar Dhawan On His Future In Indian Cricket

India opener Shikhar Dhawan remains an integral part of the ODI set-up but feels he still has a lot to contribute in the T20 format as he looks to play at the highest level for at least another three years. The 36-year-old from Delhi has had another consistent run in the IPL, scoring 421 runs for Punjab Kings with one game remaining. The last time the stylish opener scored less than 300 runs in the competition was back in 2015, highlighting his consistency. However, despite being among the runs and leading India on tour of Sri Lanka last year, Dhawan did not find a place in the last T20 World Cup squad.

The competition for spots is only getting intense in the Indian team but Dhawan is expected to make a T20 comeback with the home series against South Africa beginning June 9.

He believes his experience can come in handy in the T20 set-up.

"Though I remain an integral part of the team, I still feel that I can contribute in the shortest format because of my experience. I have been quite doing well in the T20 format. Whatever role I have been given I have done well.

"I have managed to stay consistent in the formats that I am playing, whether it is the IPL or at the domestic level and I am enjoying it. Consistency is not only about scoring fifties or hundreds frequently, but also about maintaining even gaps between such scores," Dhawan told PTI.

A couple of months after leading India in Sri Lanka, Dhawan missed out on the World Cup. He was obviously disappointed but his positive outlook to life helped him move on from that.

"Yes I am a very positive person. It was a dream come true for me leading the team last year. For the T20 World Cup, they thought the (chosen) players were better than me and fair enough. Whatever decision