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Cricket World Player of the Week - Shikhar Dhawan

by Sandeep Shivam Monday 12 June 2017

Shikhar Dhawan became the fastest to 1000 Champions Trophy runs

©REUTERS

India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan is the Cricket World Player of the Week for his knocks of 125 and 78 in the two games of the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka and South Africa at Kennington Oval respectively.

Dhawan's 125-run knock against Sri Lanka came off 128 deliveries and had 15 boundaries and a six in it as it laid a perfect platform for India's total of 321 runs in the 50 overs. MS Dhoni also played a handy knock of 63 from 52 balls to propel the innings in the end overs. However, their efforts were undone by fifties from Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews along with a cameo from Asela Gunaratne as Sri Lanka chased down the total in 48.4 overs.

In the game against South Africa, a tremendous bowling and fielding effort saw India dismiss the Proteas for 191 following which Dhawan smashed 78 off 83 balls and was supported by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 76 to complete the chase in 38 overs and also secure them a place in the semi-final.

In the sixth match between England and New Zealand, a collective batting effort saw the hosts score 310 runs despite three wicket hauls from Adam Milne and Corey Anderson and it proved enough as the Black Caps could manage only 223 runs despite a 87 from Kane Williamson.

The game seven saw David Miller score an unbeaten 75 after Hasan Ali's three wicket haul troubled the Proteas and restricted them to 219 for eight. Pakistan eventually managed to win the game by 19 runs D/L to remain alive in the tournament.

Centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah proved vital in the ninth game as Bangladesh defeated New Zealand to reach the semi-final for the first time in an ICC tournament.

An unbeaten 71 from Travis Head and a 87 followed by a century from Ben Stokes were other special performances that came in the 10th match of the tournament which marked the end of the campaign for Australia.

Rashid Khan's 10 wickets in the two ODIs against West Indies in St Lucia deserves special mention as well.