It will be an understatement to say that Shikhar Dhawan is an underrated player. Despite scoring big in international cricket, one or two bad innings from the left-hander often result in him getting dropped from the playing XI.

Dhawan was named in the Indian ODI squad for the ongoing three-match series in South Africa but even when the experienced Rohit Sharma was not available, a few experts including former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar kept Dhawan out of his playing XI for the series opener. 

FIFTY!

A quick fire half-century for @SDhawan25 in the 1st ODI.

His 34th overall

Live - https://t.co/PJ4gV99ISb #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/SyPP5HGA7l

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2022

Dhawan answered his critics with his bat as he ended up being the highest scorer for India in the game, scoring 79 runs and stitching a 92-run stand with former skipper Virat Kohli. 

Though Dhawan’s knock went in vain, as the Indian middle-order collapsed against an inexperienced South African bowling attack, his individual brilliance was enough to shut down his doubters. 

Fans were in awe of Dhawan and they spoke their hearts out on social media.

Best odi player after kohli

— TheKing (@TheKing67833599) January 19, 2022

Shikhar Dhawan is must in ODIs no matters what.

— A B H I (@AbhishekICT) January 19, 2022

Don't know why he is not frequently included in the team and also in the test team. Need left handers at the top order. Yeh bhi #BCCI se jagda kiya kya?

— sirprashm (@sirprashm) January 19, 2022

One thing is for sure , dhawan's place in indian odi team will be vacant only when he decides to retire respectfully

— Yash Tyagi (@Yash_Tyagi_16) January 19, 2022

Dhawan, addressing the media after the first ODI in Paarl, said that talks about his place in the side are always there but over the years, he has shifted his entire focus on preparing well before any game and has faith in his process.

"These talks (to drop him) always are there and I am used to it and I just know how to give my best and I always make sure that my preparation is quite good and the process is good and then I leave it on God,” Dhawan said at the post-match conference.

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"....and I know that with my experience and my self-confidence, I'll do good and I am happy that I did well today," the opening batter added.

Dhawan was the highlight of India’s reply as he smashed 10 boundaries en route to 79 off just 84 deliveries. 

Apart from Dhawan, Kohli and Shardul Thakur too hit fifties but it wasn’t enough to get the team over the line. 

That's that from the 1st ODI.

South Africa win by 31 runs.

Scorecard - https://t.co/PJ4gV8SFQb #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/NrRNxZgMNK

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2022

After losing the Test series 1-2, India are now trailing in the ODI series and a loss on Friday will end their hopes of winning the white-ball leg of the tour.

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