Was relaxed, respected the good balls: Dhawan

Melbourne, Feb 22 (IANS) India opener Shikhar Dhawan has said he was able to score his match-winning knock of 137 runs against South Africa Sunday because he stayed relaxed and played shots to the merit of the ball.

Dhawan's highest One-Day International (ODI) score of 137 guided India to posting a formidable 307/7 against South Africa in their World Cup Pool B tie. In reply, the Proteas folded up for 177 in 40.2 overs to hand the defending champions a 130-run victory.

“I was relaxed. I knew once set, I could bring up the run rate again. I would say it's a great feeling, it was important that the partnerships were going big for my team. That was my plan," Dhawan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"We lost the early wicket today, AB (de Villiers) hit a great run out. Just wanted to stay at the wicket, respected the good balls.”

Dhawan also credited vice-captain Virat Kohli (46) and Ajinkya Rahane (79) for their crucial knocks, which he believes took the pressure off him, allowing him to play freely.

“After 20-25th over I was in and I knew I could get boundaries easily. Kohli and Rahane batted beautifully. Virat at the start, when we were under pressure, gave the stability, and Jinky (Rahane) started on a good note, and his strike rate was good so I could relax at the other end," said the 29-year-old, who also thanked the crowd for packing the 90,000- capacity stadium.