Former Indian cricket opener Shikhar Dhawan, who retired in August last year, has revealed that South African Dale Steyn and England’s James Anderson were the toughest bowlers he faced during his international career, while also sharing his views on sledging in cricket during an interview with IANS on July 10 in New Delhi.Dhawan specifically highlighted the challenges posed by Dale Steyn’s aggressive bowling style and intimidating presence on the field.“Dale Steyn was always a tough one — he had raw pace, aggression, skill, and that fierce look!” Dhawan told IANS.The veteran cricketer also acknowledged James Anderson as another formidable opponent, noting the English pacer’s distinct approach to challenging batsmen.
“James Anderson too,” Dhawan remarked about the English bowler’s ability to test batsmen both verbally and with his bowling skills.Dhawan shared his perspective on sledging in cricket, viewing it as an integral part of the game that could enhance performance.“As for sledging, it’s part of the game. Sometimes, it’s the sledging that brings out the best in you,” he said.
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The former opener, known for maintaining composure under pressure, indicated that verbal exchanges often served as motivation rather than distraction during matches.Dhawan’s international cricket career spanned over a decade, during which he demonstrated remarkable consistency across all formats of the game.His career statistics showcase his prowess as a batsman, having played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India.In Test matches, Dhawan accumulated 2315 runs, while in ODIs, he scored 6793 runs. His T20I career yielded 1579 runs.Dhawan concluded his professional cricket career in August 2022, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to Indian cricket across all three formats of the game.
