Shikhar Dhawan backs Team India and Rohit Sharma for hat-trick wins in Australia Test series – Firstpost

Rohit Sharma’s former opening partner Shikhar Dhawan is confident that the Indian cricket team captain will lead the national side to a third consecutive Test series victory in Australia later this year. Having never won a Test series in Australia, India broke their drought in the 2018-19 series and also won the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 Down Under. However, the recent
3-0 defeat to New Zealand on home soil – India’s first 3-0 Test series defeat at home – has raised questions about their chances and Rohit Sharma’s ability to inspire the team to a hat-trick of series wins in Australia.

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Dhawan supports Team India, Rohit Sharma

However, Dhawan, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, is not worried. He is confident that India will win in Australia and that the batters are ready to handle the pace challenge from the Australian fast bowlers.

“I believe we have a solid chance of achieving a hat-trick of title wins in Australia,” Dhawan told the BBC Times of India. “We have done exceptionally well there in the last two series. I am sure the team will go to Australia with a positive, winning mentality. Rohit, Virat and even Bumrah have played a lot in Australia and will share their experiences with the younger players.

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“This new generation is confident, motivated and eager to achieve. They have quickly established themselves on the international stage, which is a huge advantage for us in Australia. And while speed is always a challenge there, our hitters are well prepared to handle it.”

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India will be hoping Dhawan’s prediction comes true as they fall behind in the
race for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. India needs to win the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy by a comfortable margin to qualify for the WTC final without worrying about other results. The five-match BGT 2024-25 starts on November 22 in Perth.

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Dhawan is also confident that India can win the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan in early 2025, as the Men in Blue have a nice mix of experienced and young players.

“We have a great chance to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. We have just won the T20 World Cup and reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team is in excellent shape and rhythm. With Gautam Bhai as coach and under the leadership of Rahul Bhai, we have done very well. We have a great mix of seniors and young people, which is crucial,” he added.