Left-handed batsman Shikhar Dhawan is currently leading the Indian team in the ongoing three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The seasoned pro showed what he is made of against the hosts, as he scored 72 in the first ODI and set up 124 for the opener alongside Shubman Gill. Before the first ODI, former Indian team captain Ravi Shastri praised Dhawan, saying the left-hander doesn't get the credit he really deserves.

Speaking on Prime Video's first match coverage for the 1st ODI, Shastri said: “He has a lot of experience. He doesn't get the credit he deserves. To be honest, most of the visuals are on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But when you look at his one-day cricket record, and look at some of the innings he has played against teams in big matches, it is an outstanding record."

"A left-hander at the top makes a lot of difference. He is a natural stroke player, he has got all the shots to countertop class fast bowling, the pull, the cut, and the drive. He likes it when the ball is coming onto the bat, and I think his experience will be handy here. There are a lot of talented youngsters around, but I think in this format of the game, his experience will be in value," he added.

Dhawan (72), Shreyas Iyer (80) and Shubman Gill (50) all bowled well and in the end Washington Sundar's 37-shot 16-ball knock helped India start over 300 runs on the board.