5 Indian players who used the Champions Trophy as a launchpad

#4 Shikhar Dhawan: ICC Champions Trophy, 2013

Shikhar Dhawan accumulated 363 runs in the 2013 Champions Trophy, including two hundreds

Shikhar Dhawan’s blazing ODI knocks have only climbed long and lengthy ladders since the 2013 Champions Trophy, when he returned to the ODI set-up after 2011. India’s campaign had commenced with a new opening pair of Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, and the gamble worked throughout.

Dhawan, in particular, was the wrecker-in-chief, ending the tournament with two centuries and the Golden Bat after India won the final. He accumulated 363 runs at 90.75 and since then, has taken a special liking for ODI cricket.

Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Dhawan neatly pummels and punches the pacers around the point and cover region with elan, while reserving the clean flick if they pitch one down the leg. He also has the knack of unsettling spinners by using his feet repeatedly to upset their length.

Since 2013, Dhawan has adopted ICC ODI tournaments like his most favourite child. In his only fifty-over World Cup in 2015, Dhawan led from the front with 412 runs including two centuries. In his twin Champions Trophy participations combined – India have played only twice so far in 2017 – Dhawan has tallied 556 runs. Very consistent in this format, Dhawan’s form has put India in a fix to accommodate KL Rahul into the eleven once he returns from injury.