Shikhar Dhawan: As Shikhar Dhawan announces his retirement from international cricket, it marks the end of an era for one of India’s most stylish and consistent openers. Dhawan’s career has been a tale of perseverance, thrilling highs, and challenging lows, embodying the essence of a true sportsman.
Starting of career
Shikhar Dhawan started playing cricket at the prestigious St. Stephen’s School, where his talent was immediately seen. His early success in junior cricket, particularly his record-breaking performance in the 2004 ICC U-19 World Cup, where he was the tournament’s highest run-scorer, set the stage for a promising career. However, despite his early success, breaking into the Indian national team was no easy task.
Debut and Rise
Dhawan made his international debut quite late in 2010, in an ODI against Australia. Nevertheless, it was his 2013 Test debut that really announced his arrival. Dhawan scored a blazing 187 against Australia in Mohali, which was the fastest century by a new player in Test cricket. Dhawan’s aggressive but refined batting style, which would eventually become his signature, was laid out in this innings.
The Golden Years
Shikhar Dhawan’s real strength came to the fore in ICC tournaments. With 363 runs, he was the highest run-scorer in India’s Champions Trophy victory in 2013. His consistency in ICC events earned him the nickname “Gabbar” among fans, reflecting his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations.
Dhawan also helped India get to the semi-finals of both the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he once again scored many runs.
His partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order became one of the most successful opening pairs in ODI cricket, known for their ability to dominate bowling attacks across the world.
The Challenges
Despite his success, Dhawan’s career was not without its challenges. He was plagued by injuries at important points, often hindering his ability to move forward. A thumb injury during the 2019 World Cup forced him to miss the rest of the tournament, a significant blow to India’s campaign. Moreover, his form in Test cricket began to wane after a promising start. While he remained a force in limited-overs cricket, especially in ODIs and T20s, his inconsistency in the longer format led to his eventual omission from the Test squad.
IPL and Limited-Overs Cricket
Dhawan reinvented himself at the end of his career, especially in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan became one of the league’s best players when he played for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. He was highly sought after in the IPL because he could lead innings while moving quickly when needed. He notably became the first player in IPL history to score back-to-back centuries in 2020.
Even as younger players emerged, Dhawan maintained his place in the Indian ODI and T20I squads, thanks to his experience and reliable performances. His leadership qualities were also on display when he captained the Indian team on various occasions, including during tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
A Legacy of Excellence
Shikhar Dhawan leaves behind a legacy of excellence as he retires from international cricket. He scored over 10,000 runs in international cricket during his career, with 24 centuries in all formats. His contribution to Indian cricket, especially during ICC tournaments, will be fondly remembered by fans and teammates.
Dhawan’s journey shows his resilience, perseverance, and love for the game.
From a promising young talent to one of India’s most dependable openers, Dhawan’s career has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with moments of joy, triumph, and learning. He retires with his head held high, knowing that he has given all of himself to the sport he loves.
Positive takeaway
Shikhar Dhawan will be remembered not just for his runs and records but for the spirit with which he played the game—always with a smile, always with grace, and always with a sense of pride for wearing the Indian jersey.
