England’s Dawid Malan has emerged victorious over doubts and critics as he secures a spot in the ODI World Cup squad. After facing questions about his inclusion due to a less-than-ideal performance in The Hundred, Malan expressed his satisfaction in silencing those who doubted him.
Amid speculation that he might be dropped from the ODI World Cup squad, Malan struggled during England’s domestic competition, The Hundred. However, during his lean patch, fellow England batter Harry Brook impressed and raised his profile after initially missing out on the ODI World Cup 2023 selection.
Before departing for India to participate in the quadrennial tournament, Malan spoke with the BBC and shared his feelings about proving his critics wrong.
“People were speculating that I might not make it,” Malan acknowledged. “But deep down, I had confidence. It felt harsh to me that people were evaluating my performance based on just a few Hundred games and elevating others after only a few Hundred and T20 matches,” Malan stated in an interview with the BBC.
He continued, “When the time came, I managed to deliver match-winning performances. It’s incredibly satisfying to prove wrong those who believed I should be left out.”
Malan’s recent form against New Zealand in the ODI series has been sensational. He emerged as the top scorer and was awarded the Player of the Series trophy after amassing 277 runs in three matches, boasting an impressive average of 92.33.
“I often feel like I’m just one or two bad innings away from someone suggesting that I should be dropped again,” Malan confessed. “Sometimes, it can be frustrating.”
He added, “Most of the time, I’ve been able to cope with that pressure and prove my critics wrong. That’s what motivates me and fuels my determination to fight through challenges.”
With the omission of Jason Roy from the squad, Malan is expected to play a crucial role for England in the top order. Given that pitches are anticipated to be favorable to batsmen, the left-handed batter could become a vital asset for the team.
“I genuinely relish the moment when, at the end of a game, I stand in front of opponents who have to shake my hand and say ‘well done,'” Malan concluded. “That’s what gets my adrenaline pumping and makes all the effort worthwhile.”