India’s veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan stated he is enjoying batting with young Shubman Gill. Dhawan and Gill opened the Indian innings against the West Indies and did a fine job as they provided good starts to the team. The right and left-hand batting combination also opened in the first ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Thursday.

Zimbabwe was skittled out for a paltry score of 189 runs and Dhawan and Gill were able to chase down the score with an unbeaten stand of 192 runs. Gill played as an aggressor as he scored 82 runs off just 72 balls while Dhawan played a second fiddle as the left-hander scored 81 runs off 103 balls.

In fact, Dhawan and Gill have added three hundred-run partnerships with each other in the four innings they have opened the innings for India.

“I am enjoying batting with the youngster (Gill) and I feel like a youngster too,” Dhawan said in a post-match conversation with the broadcaster. “I enjoyed the consistency from West Indies,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dhawan showered praise on Shubman Gill, who continued his good form. Gill had scored 205 runs in three ODIs against the West Indies and was awarded the Player of the Series.

Dhawan revealed he wanted to take time in the initial phase of the innings.

​​“I knew that once I was set, I would go after the bowlers. I wanted to rotate the strike as well and then accelerate. My rhythm with Gill has settled nicely. The way he bats and times the ball is lovely to watch. He has shown the consistency in converting fifties into bigger fifties,” Dhawan said.

On the other hand, Dhawan also heaped praise on India’s bowling attack as they bundled out Zimbabwe for 189 runs. Deepak Chahar, who was making a comeback after a long hiatus, was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped three wickets and demolished the hosts’ top order.

“Our bowling unit did well and it was nice to see Deepak Chahar come back from injury and pick up three wickets. I am sure he would be feeling confident as well,” Dhawan said.