IPL 2017: Shikhar Dhawan continues on redemption path, scores 26th half-century

Shikhar Dhawan scored 70 off 50 ball for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 match. He has made a strong case for himself to return to the Indian national cricket team

Shikhar Dhawan has seen the worst of times in the last one year. The left-handed opener was dropped from the national team, demoted to Grade C in BCCI’s central contract list. (SRH vs DD: T20 MATCH BLOG)

Shikhar Dhawan en route to scoring a half-century forSunrisers Hyderabad in a 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Delhi Daredevils. (BCCI)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad player lad has taken all of it in his stride and is using the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 platform to return to the spotlight. On Wednesday, against Delhi Daredevils, he reached his 26th half-century in the T20 extravaganza in just 40 balls. (SRH vs DD: T20 SCORECARD)

Though Dhawan reached the 50-run mark in just 40 balls, the innings was not brutal. The fact he took 26 singles in reaching the mark, shows his maturity. He had a marauding Kane Williamson at the other end (89, 51b) and was happy playing the second fiddle.

After reaching his fifty-mark, Dhawan freed his arm and hit two fours, one six. He ultimately fell at 70 (50 balls) to Chris Morris, but made a big impact by then. SRH won the match by 15 runs as DD managed 176/5 in 20 overs.

This half-century comes after Dhawan scored 40 and 48 in two matches of this IPL. He had also scored a ton and half-century in the Deodhar Trophy. He had said before the 2017 IPL that he would be taking the tournament as a platform to return to the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy.

If Dhawan can continue in the same strain, he will indeed be making a strong case for himself in front of the national selectors for the mega-event in June.