Shikhar Dhawan is keen to put his best foot forward in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Inter-zonal T20 2016-17. The opener from Delhi was the highest run-getter for his state side in the inter-state domestic Twenty20 tournament in the lead up to the forthcoming games. Dhawan will be representing the North Zone led by Harbhajan Singh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali. Speaking ahead of the team’s first game against South Zone on Sunday, February 13 he said, “I am geared up for the tournament. In Zone tournaments we have been doing quite well and boys are ready to go for tomorrow’s game. I haven’t played much with these boys; I am coming back (for this tournament after a few years) and it is exciting. I have played against them, (and) it will be nice to play with them.” The North Zone line-up is studded with the likes of Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and the young in-form wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant besides other performers from the zone. Speaking about the team, Shikhar said, “Yuvi Paji (Yuvraj Singh) has just played and come back, I was playing against England, Rishabh Pant (is there), earlier Gautam (Gambhir) played in Tests. It’s a strong side and hopefully, we will give performances like that. There are no knockouts in the tournament, so we would like to top the tournament.” The best from a zone come together and compete with the best of the lot from the other zones for the forthcoming tournament. Speaking about the format and the opportunity it provides, Shikhar observed, “It’s good. The boys come from different teams like it is when it is in the Indian team. It’s good to get a touch of that. You have to be flexible with other boys (to get to know), how they behave, what’s their character (and) to bring it (together) as a team, so that is one thing we all learn and which will help the boys once they go to Indian side.” The top-order batsman has been known for his explosive batting, speaking about the format that is a platform to display his skills, he said, “I always enjoy playing T20 cricket. As a team, we would like to come up on top and win. Individually I would like to perform as consistently as I can.”

“All tournaments are important for me, If I have to make a comeback (to the national team), simple thing is that the more runs I score, it will be more beneficial for me. The more runs I score, my case will be stronger to come forward. It is that simple and effective,” he mentioned discussing the way forward. “I know that I have to score consistently, I am an impactful player, so if I stand and score runs, my team is going to win the game; that is my biggest strength. I have already started doing it, I start doing it more consistently, it is going to be good for me and I have good chance for making a comeback,” he added. The batsman also said he has been fine-tuning his batting and seeking advise from relevant people as he works towards that end.