IPL 2023: Rishi Dhawan aiming India comeback with solid performance for Punjab Kings

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Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Rishi Dhawan is aiming for a Team India comeback by giving his best in the upcoming IPL 2023 season. The Himachal Pradesh captain made his India debut with an ODI match against Australia in Melbourne.

He featured in all the three matches of the series, scoring 12 runs and picking one wicket at an average of 160. Later, he featured in a T20I match against Zimbabwe in Harare in the same year. Rishi picked one wicket at an economy of 10.50.

However, the Mandi-born cricketer hasn't got an opportunity to represent India after playing those four matches. The rise in stature of all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel have kept the right-hander away from India call-up despite decent performances in domestic circuit.

"I have continuously given good performances. I did well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy and even in the Ranji Trophy I have been consistently performing well. So, from my end I am giving my best to make an India comeback," the 33-year-old said while interacting with Mykhel during 'Empress Cricket League in Gurugram' last month.

"I played for India A recently and I did well there too. I will be trying to do well in the IPL 2023 and make a place for myself in the Indian team again," Rishi, who led Himachal to title win in 2021-22 season, added.

In the season, he scored 458 runs at an average of 76.33 and a strike rate of 127.22. The medium-pacer also picked 17 wickets at an average of 23.35 and an economy of 6.

On being asked on what motivates him to keep going, Rishi said that giving his best as a cricketer regardless of the format and the stature of the game was his primary goal.

"As a cricketer you want to give your best when on the ground and I also try to do the same without bothering if it's a club match, Ranji Trophy match or an IPL match. The motivation is to give my hundred percent on the ground. I will try my best till the time I have this motivation," he said.

Punjab Kings will be led by Shikhar Dhawan in the IPL 2022. The side play their first match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 1.