I have a lot to learn about captaincy, says Shikhar Dhawan

Mohali: His batting was flawless as he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a convincing eight-wicket win over Kandurata Maroons today but Shikhar Dhawan says it will take him time to learn captaincy skills.

Dhawan, who scored a 71 in Hyderabad`s chase of 169, led the IPL side for the first time. "This was a totally a new experience for me as a captain. It was my first day as captain so I have a lot to learn. I will make a lot of mistakes, and have to learn from them. It is part and parcel of the captaincy," the left-handed batsman said. Dhawan said he went with his reading of the game but admitted that he could have used spinner Amit Mishra more as he gave him just one over to bowl. "I thought this wicket didn`t support turn but I should have used him more (Mishra). Plus they had a lot of left-handers so we didn`t think the spinners would do much. I felt the fast bowlers had more to offer on this track," he said. Dhawan said he was not worried at all despite a stiff target at hand to chase. "It was a good total from their side, but I knew it was chaseable because on this ground it is easier to chase." Kandurata Maroons captain Lahiru Thirimanne said the bowlers let them down despite having a handsome total to defend. "I think 170 was a very good score on this pitch. In the end of the day, it was hard to contain runs. Getting Dhawan was a valuable wicket. So was Parthiv`s. It was hard to contain runs as bowlers did not bowl to a plan. We need to improve our bowling," he said. Thirimanne hoped things will change when spinner Rangana Herath will be in the playing XI tomorrow against Otago Volts. "We are looking forward to the next match. We have Rangana Herath. He will come to the side for tomorrow`s game, so hopefully it will be a good day tomorrow," he said. PTI