Bring on the South Africans, we are not scared: Shikhar Dhawan

In-form Shikhar Dhawan is backing Team India to compete at the highest level on their tour of South Africa starting next week. Having beaten West Indies 2-1 in the ODI series that concluded this week in Kochi, Dhawan said the team was not nervous because the fast and bouncy wickets in South Africa are expected to challenge Indian batsmen. (Want to keep on scoring tons: Dhawan)

"The wickets will be bouncy for sure but there is nothing to worry. The good thing is that we have played Australia (in a seven-match ODI series at home) and bowlers like Mitchell Johnson," Dhawan, who has scored six international centuries this year, told reporters in Mumbai on Friday. (Dhawan find of the year: Gavaskar)

This is the first time India will tour South Africa without the 'big' boys Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. But Dhawan is not worried. Just like he wields the bat, Dhawan 'slapped' any talk of lack of experience out of the park. Mixing caution and aggression, Dhawan said: "Sachin was a great player. His presence will be missed but we have a good side now. We are good in all three departments: batting, bowling and fielding." (Dhawan first to hit 6 international tons in 2013)

Dhawan, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2013, feels IPL has helped Indian players get over the nervousness against top international players. Dhawan and Dale Steyn, the world's No. 1 fast bowler from South Africa, shared the same dressing room during the IPL. "Nervousness has gone and we are going to South Africa a confident lot. We have done well in England (ICC Champions Trophy) and we will try to do well overseas again," the left-hander said. (Steyn wants fair pitches)