IPL 10: Shikhar Dhawan backs SRH to retain crown

Hyderabad: After playing a crucial role in the batting department alongside captain David Warner to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title last year, Shikhar Dhawan has backed his team to emerge champions for a second time in his own style — twirling his moustache.

“We’ve got a very good chance to win the IPL again... we just need to sync together while playing matches, once we do that, it will be very good for us,” Shikhar said.

Speaking about pressure, the opener said: “Pressure is always there but I love to perform, so that takes care of itself.”

The Royal Challengers Bangalore will be without Virat Kohli in Wednesday’s opener. Are the Sunrisers relaxed? “No. Of course Virat is one of the biggest strengths in their side, he leads from the front and has been exceptional last year, so it’s good for us that he is not there. However, they’ve got big guns in their side — Chris Gayle, A.B. de Villiers, Shane Watson... so we are preparing well and are on our toes,” he said.

The southpaw was also all praise for local buys Tanmay Agarwal and Mohammed Siraj. “Tanmay has a very good techniqaue. He is a strong boy and is very balanced mentally. I really like that thing about him as a youngster. I have faced Siraj, he is good and quick. I really like the work ethics of the young boys in the team,” he said.

Shikhar was also impressed by Afghan spinner Rashid Kahn “We are lucky to have him. I have heard that nobody can read his googly so that’s the best advantage for us.”

He was also clear enough to send a message to those hitting out at him on social media, “Actually, that gives me a kick and sparks a fire inside me, but I try not to read those stuff because those who are talking about cricket don’t know anything about the game,” he said.