Photographs: BCCI
Shikhar Dhawan has made a great start to his Test career but the opener will face a sterner test in future since he has raised his own expectations with his fabulous batting on debut, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.
The Delhi southpaw smashed a blistering 187, the fastest century on debut in the history of Test history, to set the platform for India's six-wicket win in the third Test which ended in Mohali on Momday.
"He has got off to a good start. It does not matter how well you have played in domestic cricket. In that first game, you are nervous, but I think he handled that well. But the coming days will be slightly tougher in the sense that he has raised his own expectations," Dhoni said after India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
Asked whether the series-win was a sweet revenge for the bashing India had received Down Under, Dhoni said: "We don't think about revenge in sport.
"We have exploited the conditions well. Even the fast bowlers have done well despite conditions helping spinners. (Ravindra) Jadeja's inclusion has helped. It meant we were playing with five specialist bowlers. Everyone contributed in some way, (Murali) Vijay was excellent," Dhoni added.
'One of the best batting exhibitions'
Image: Murali Vijay and Shikhar DhawanPhotographs: BCCI
Talking about Dhawan and Vijay's 289-run opening stand in India's first innings score of 499, Dhoni said, "It was one of the best batting exhibitions by Vijay and Dhawan when it comes to batting in pairs."
Dhoni also said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar's three-wicket bust early in Australia's second innings set the stage for India's win.
For Delhi boy Dhawan it was a dream come true debut in Test cricket. "I would like to thank god and my family, friends who had sent their blessings.
"It's dream-come-true. When I entered, I was nervous for three-four balls. Once I got into my rhythm, I played my natural game," Dhawan said.
"Vijay did a great job too. I wanted to stay at the crease as long as possible, I didn't want to throw my wicket away. I will cherish this for the rest of my life."
About his injured finger, he said, "It's a bit bad. The finger is going to take a bit of a time. It's all part and parcel of the game."
'I think we showed character'
Image: Michael ClarkePhotographs: BCCI
Australian skipper Michael Clarke said his side has learnt a lot in the last few days and was happy with the kind of fight they had put up.
"I think we showed character. But we have to give credit to India. The start that Dhawan and Vijay gave was outstanding, and all credit to them.
"The way we came out and fought with the ball today is amazing, but once again the Indian batters showed us that once you get in, you have to score big," he said.
Clarke hoped they will avoid a series whitewash and turn the tables on India in Delhi, the venue for the fourth and final match of the series.
"We are disappointed, but hopefully we can finish on a high in Delhi. Over the past two years, we have been consistent at home, but not away from home.
"We continue to learn, there are some positives but there are certainly areas we can get better," he said.
Clarke said they did not take field with intention of saving the match. "I told the boys this morning that we can win the match. We always look for ways to win," he said.
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