Shikhar Dhawan’s blistering 248-run knock against South Africa A has served a warning for the Proteas as to what they might run into on India’s tour towards the end of the year.
And it is likely to prompt them to adopt a more focused approach against the left-handed opener, according to his Delhi-based coach Madan Sharma.
“You can say that (it’s a warning) but it will work both ways. Now, they will focus more on him and will try to exploit his weak points,” Sharma said on Monday.
Sharma, however, underlined the importance of this knock as a likely turning point in Dhawan’s short international cricket career.
“I can say this could be the turning point in his career. To score 200 in any format, at any level is very tough. It’s a dream for a player and you can be proud of yourself if you have achieved it. It will give him lot of self-belief that he can play big knocks.
“More importantly, it came when the team needed it as it was like a virtual semi-final for us. The tracks there suit him as he likes to hit on the rise.”
He added, “He has to work on the leaving the balls. The Indian batsmen will be peppered with short balls by the South Africa pacers and you cannot go ahead with the pulls and the hooks. The batsmen need to be wary of committing himself.” While not many in the South Africa A XI comprise of their Test regulars, Sharma did not agree that the knock came against a weak attack.