Both Sehwag and Gambhir are currently out of the squad owing to prolonged run drought, forcing the selectors to run out of patience. "Both Viru bhai and Gautam have done well over a long period of time. I hope we also do as good as them in the future," the 27-year-old Dhawan told reporters on the eve of the third Test against Australia here tomorrow.

"In the last two games Viru paaji played, I have spoken to him, tried to learn from him," the Delhi player added. Dhawan said he also observed Sachin Tendulkar batting at the nets, and could learn a few things by merely watching the senior batsman train. Dhawan was given the news of his debut today morning by coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.