Team India is one big family: Shikhar Dhawan

After some underwhelming returns in the first half of the tour of Australia, you found form in the World Cup. In fact, you were the fifth-highest run-getter in the tournament. How satisfying was the turnaround?
It was very satisfying for me because I always work hard irrespective of the form I am in. My work ethic has always been strong. It was satisfying because my hard work paid off. It felt good because the team needed me to do well and score big runs. I thank God for blessing me. I must also thank my teammates, support staff and well-wishers for having faith in my abilities.

Could you please talk about the thought processes involved in this inspired comeback that saw you aggregate more than 400 runs with two hundreds?
I do things differently. When you think too much about your performance, then you end up pressuring yourself. What I do is simple. I think of the processes. I live in the present. I take it one day and one match at a time. In fact, I play my cricket just the way I live my life. I never visualised that I would end up as the fifth run-getter in the tournament. It happened because of all the effort I put in. I look at the 'controllables' like playing the ball on merit. The rest takes care of itself. And, by the grace of God, everything fell into place beautifully.

What do you have to say of Team India's dream run at the World Cup? A team doesn't win seven straight games just like that...
I guess we achieved success because we worked hard for it. Every player gave it his all. Ditto with the members of the support staff. Also, the communication levels were brilliant. I guess that happens when you spend so much time together as a unit. Every player knows his role, his responsibility. Waqt ke saath sab accha hota gaya. In fact, things fell into place. If you notice, every batsman, every bowler performed. For instance, MS Dhoni found form against the West Indies, Suresh Raina did well against Zimbabwe. The team wasn't dependent on one player.

How did MS Dhoni lead the side during the World Cup? The team was under pressure...
After the first leg of the tour, the captain told us that 'characters' make a team. He asked us to express ourselves. So, we focused on that. Every player worked on his game. But the underlying theme was to keep things simple. We worked doubly hard at net sessions. Every player had a goal and he worked towards it.

Your hundred against South Africa lit up the tournament. It was an authoritative knock and the fact that it came in Melbourne, your second home, made it even more special...
Yes, it was very, very special. The fact that I got a big one after two or three months was very satisfying. Aur sasural mein bhi izzat badh gayi. The MCG was bleeding blue. More than 75,000 Indian fans were there to support us. That felt great. It's because of our fans that we enjoy stardom. I am indebted to them. Also, when a batsman scores big runs against a top-quality attack, he feels doubly happy. You are delighted because your methods have paid off. All in all, it was a special game and special knock for me.

A lot of credit for the team's showing has gone to Ravi Shastri. Is Shastri the team director also like Shastri the media personality — loud, clear, positive, and straightforward?
He is exactly the way you described him. Before the World Cup, Ravi came up to me and said that I would do well in the World Cup. He told me that I am a match-winner and that I would win games for the team. When the team director tells you such things, you ooze positivity. Your confidence level goes up. That apart, Ravi is a brilliant man manager. If he sees that a player is doing something wrong, he would walk up to that player and tell him to nget the problem rectified in the nets. He has brought about a sense of openness in the team. Players are encouraged to voice their concerns. And the support staff is there to take care of you. Ravi is loud, in a positive way. He is open. He is just like we know him. His presence is huge. And It has made a huge difference to our team. I would also like to thank (head coach) Duncan (Fletcher), bowling coach Bharat Arun, batting coach Sanjay Bangar, fielding coach R Sridhar, (throwdown expert) Raghu (Raghavendra) and every other member of the support staff.

Team India is very close-knit, isn't it?
We are very close to each other. I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that we have been playing together for more than two years now. It's a new team. Moreover, we have played with each other since our age-group days. Also, our families join us every now and then on tour. It's one big family. You can sense that bonding. There is nothing like he is from Delhi and that guy is from another city. You see the players mixing with each other. I have dined with every one of them.

Talk about your partnership with Rohit Sharma...
Rohit is one of the best timers of the ball. He is the most talented batsman around. We enjoy each other's company. In fact, we have been playing together since our Under-16 days. Watching him from the other end is a pleasure. I enjoy his success as much as I enjoy mine.

Your son Zorawar is just over a year old. How has Shikhar Dhawan the person changed since his arrival?
By the way, I also have two daughters. The beautiful thing about children is that they make you appreciate the small things in life. The other day, I was sitting and thinking hard about my cricket and my son drank his milk with a straw. It felt so good to see him do something new. You know we are all living our dreams. We are all so busy. And that's when your children make you realise that there is so much more to enjoy in life. I make it a point to play with my children. And I am glad they are part of my journey. They watch me play on the big stage every other day. It's a great feeling.

Your cricket commitments mean you are away from home for long periods. When you go to Melbourne to see them, how do you help them with things?
I drop them to school, pick them up, meet their teachers and track their progress. I even attend parent-teacher meetings and give suggestions. Well, I try and stay away from the homework department. That's their mother's department (laughs).

You did your studies in India. How different is the education system in Australia?
I guess theirs is a bit more relaxed. It is very practical. The schools are huge because Australia is a vast country and there is enough and more land at everyone's disposal. That said, our education system is also very good. How else do you think India produces such world-class doctors and engineers? The world is indebted to India. That's the quality of professionals we produce.

Your fans would love to hear about your wife, Ayesha Mukherjee. We know she is a kickboxing expert. Have you tried it?
No, I haven't (laughs). But she does teach me how to cook. I thank my wife for being there for me and taking care of the kids. In Melbourne, you don't get (domestic) help easily. But she manages everything on her own. You know it's not easy to take care of a big house and three kids. My wife plays a major role in my life. I credit her for my success. It's because of her that I can concentrate on my cricket. I thank God for blessing me with such a beautiful wife and lovely children. They mean the world to me. Ayesha watches me train. She is very particular about my cricket, my fitness and how I go about doing things. She is a sports lover. She gives me throwdowns, she even bats after I am done (laughs). I enjoy my family time to the fullest. Even my daughters face some deliveries in the nets. I am a happy man thanks to my family.

Dhawan at WC
vs Pakistan: 73
vs South Africa: 137
vs West Indies: 9
vs Ireland: 100
vs Zimbabwe: 4
vs Bangladesh: 30
vs Australia: 45