'I don't love boys that much': Dhawan reacts to his funny picture with Rishabh Pant

Mumbai: Shikhar Dhawan had a hilarious response when he was asked about his funny picture with Rishabh Pant that went viral recently. Dhawan, who appeared on India TV's Aap Ki Adaalat was asked about his recent picture with Pant, where the young wicket-keeper can be seen sitting on his lap.

The photo, taken during India's T20I series against South India led to several hilarious memes on the internet.

"He just came and sat on my lap," Dhawan said.

"I told him 'Rishabh, get up, someone will click a photo. I don't love guys that much that I'll make them sit on my lap,'" he added as the audience burst out in laughter.

"But he is 21-22 years, and he doesn't listen. So he sat on my lap and said 'I will sit here only'. So I said 'Sit, what can I do?'" Dhawan said.

"He is young and cheerful like most guys his age," he added.

Pant was recently under scanner for his poor run of form against South Africa in the T20I series. Team India's head coach Ravi Shastri and batting coach Vikram Rathour also warned Pant over playing careless cricket.

However, Dhawan backed Pant and said that the southpaw has the potential to don the Indian jersey for a long time to come. "Rishabh Pant is very talented. With his talent, he will serve India for a long time," Dhawan said.

"He is completely focused and and working very hard. Sometimes there is just a situation where you can't perform. But he is learning a lot from his journey," added Dhawan.