Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan said that he is not troubled by the criticism that he faces after almost every time he failed to score big in a couple of matches.
Dhawan will become the seventh skipper to lead India this year during the three-match ODI series against the Men in Maroon. The 36-year-old said that he wouldn't have been where he is today if he had let criticism affect his play.
"I don't feel strange. Have been hearing it for 10 years now. They keep saying, I keep playing. It doesn't matter to me. If it did, I wouldn't have been here today. Everyone has their own opinions, but I know my job and what I need to do. I have been doing this for so many years. I don't take a lot of tension after a couple of failures. I self-analyze and look to improve. That's what matters to me," Dhawan said in a pre-match press conference.
Before the England ODIs, the opening batter impressed during the ODI series in South Africa, which was played at the start of 2022. He smashed 169 runs in three matches, including two half-centuries.
Original captain Rohit Sharma and experienced players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested for the ODI series. As a result, Dhawan will be leading a fairly young team in the Caribbean.
Taking about his role in the team and new captaincy assignment, Dhawan said, "I am very excited. When I get a chance to work with youngsters, I feel I can share my experience with them, especially the mental aspect of how one can grow. I always love to share it and bring an impact in their game."
Accepting that there is always pressure in the game, Dhawan claimed that he won't change his playing style or nature.
"Pressure is always there in international cricket. But the pressure will not change my personality or my style of play. I have a lot of self-belief in myself and in my team as well. We will go in with the will to win at any cost," he added.
The three ODI matches will be played on 22 July, 24 July and 27 July at the historic Queen's Park Oval. They will be followed by a five-match T20I series from July 29 to August 7.
(ANI)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)