The flamboyant left-handed India international, Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most influential openers in white-ball cricket in the 2010s announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on Saturday morning leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to replicate.
Known for his explosive batting, Dhawan carved a niche for himself as one of the most feared openers in world cricket. His trademark kabaddi-style thigh slap celebration, twirling moustache, and affable personality earned him the moniker ‘Gabbar,’ endearing him to millions of fans worldwide.
In an international career spanning over a decade, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India. His debut match for India came in 2010 in an ODI against Australia in the Vizag, in which he got out for a two-ball duck. But he made up for the false start in ODIs with a whirlwind 187 off 174 balls in his Test debut against the same opponent two years later in Mohali. In his T20I debut in 2011 against the West Indies in Trinidad, he made 5 off 11.
In Tests, he scored 2315 runs at 40.61 with seven centuries and five fifties to his name, while in ODIs, he forged a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma, and amassed 6793 runs at 44.11, striking at 91.35 notching up 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In T20Is, he had 1759 runs with a career strike rate of 127.12 with 11 fifties to his name.
His ODI runs tally puts him at the 10th spot in the list of most runs for India in the format, while Dhawan’s average of 44.11 is bettered only by Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni in the top 10.
He was the fifth fastest player to reach 6000 ODI runs behind Hashim Amla, Kane Williamson, Kohli, and David Warner.
Early Beginnings and Rise to Stardom
Born on December 5, 1985, in New Delhi, Dhawan’s tryst with cricket began at the tender age of 12 when he joined the prestigious Sonnet Club under the guidance of coach Tarak Sinha. Starting as a wicket-keeper, he soon transitioned into a formidable batter, showing early signs of greatness. By the age of 14, Dhawan was already making waves in youth cricket, representing Delhi U16, and later, the North Zone U16, where his prolific run-scoring abilities caught everyone’s attention. His performances led to his selection in the India U17 side for the 2000/01 ACC Under-17 Asia Cup.
In 2004, Dhawan announced himself on the global stage by emerging as the top scorer in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh, amassing 505 runs with three centuries. This performance not only earned him the Player of the Tournament award but also paved the way for his first-class debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy later that year.
The Journey to the Indian Team
Despite his early promise, Dhawan’s path to the Indian senior team wasn’t straightforward. His first-class debut for Delhi saw him score 461 runs in 6 games, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he finally broke into the Indian ODI team. His debut against Australia was underwhelming, but Dhawan, undeterred, continued to grind in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The turning point came in March 2013 during the Test series against Australia. Dhawan made his Test debut in the third match and took the cricketing world by storm, scoring the fastest century by a debutant, with 187 runs off just 174 balls. This innings not only cemented his place in the Indian team but also marked the beginning of a glorious international career.
Golden Years and the Rise of Gabbar
Dhawan’s career is highlighted by his performances in ICC tournaments, where he consistently proved to be a big-match player. He played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he was the highest run-scorer with 363 runs in five matches. His back-to-back centuries in the tournament earned him the Golden Bat award and the Player of the Tournament accolade.
The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup further solidified his reputation as one of the best openers in the world. Dhawan scored 412 runs, including two centuries, helping India reach the semifinals. His ability to rise to the occasion in major tournaments made him an indispensable part of the Indian limited-overs setup.
IPL Stints and Domestic Prowess
In the IPL, Dhawan was a consistent performer across franchises. Starting with the Delhi franchise in 2008, he moved to Mumbai and later to Hyderabad, where he became a mainstay. His IPL journey saw him captaining the Hyderabad franchise and later returning to the Delhi Capitals, where he continued to break records. In 2021, Dhawan became only the second player after Virat Kohli to score 6000 runs in the IPL.
His domestic performances were equally impressive, with Dhawan often returning to the Ranji Trophy to sharpen his skills. His ability to adapt and dominate in various formats made him one of the most versatile cricketers of his generation.
Personal Life and Challenges
Off the field, Dhawan’s life was as colorful as his cricketing career. He married Aesha Mukerji, a Melbourne-based kickboxer, in 2012, and the couple was blessed with a son, Zoravar, in 2014. Dhawan also embraced Aesha’s daughters from her previous marriage, becoming a loving father figure. However, in September 2021, Dhawan and Aesha decided to part ways, and their divorce was finalized in October 2023.
Legacy and Retirement
As age caught up, Dhawan’s place in the Indian team became uncertain, with younger players vying for the opener’s spot. He played his last match for India in 2021, a T20 game vs Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo as the India captain.
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