Shikhar Dhawan: India’s Star Opening Batter
Shikhar Dhawan, fondly called “Gabbar” and “Mr. ICC,” is a celebrated left-handed opening batter from New Delhi, India, born on December 5, 1985. Known for his stellar performances in international cricket, Dhawan represented India from 2010 to 2022, excelling particularly in ICC tournaments.
He is an Indian former cricketer. made his Test debut against Australia in 2013 and played his last Test in 2018. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Dhawan scored 6,793 runs with an impressive average of 44.11, including 17 centuries.
He was instrumental in India’s triumph in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and also contributed to Asia Cup victories in 2016 and 2018.
A prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan played for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings. With over 8,000 first-class runs and numerous achievements, Dhawan’s legacy in cricket continues to inspire fans worldwide.
Shikhar Dhawan: A Journey of Records and Dedication
Dhawan scored a blistering 187 runs off 174 balls, including the fastest century on a Test debut (85 balls), setting a record for the highest score by an Indian debutant.
Player Stats:
| Format | Matches | Inns | Runs | Highest Score |
| ODI | 167 | 166 | 6,793 | 143 |
| Test | 34 | 33 | 2,315 | 187 |
| T20I | 5 | 5 | 162 | 33 |
| IPL | 202 | 202 | 6,529 | 106* |
| Total | 408 | 406 | 15,799 | 187 |
In August 2013, playing for India A, Dhawan achieved the then-second-highest individual score in a List A match, smashing 248 runs off 150 balls against South Africa A. He also became the first Indian to score a century in his 100th ODI during a match against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Another feather in his cap came in June 2018, when he became the first Indian batsman to score a century before lunch on the opening day of a Test match against Afghanistan. On August 24, 2024, Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving behind a legacy of brilliance.
Dhawan’s early years were shaped by his training at the Sonnet Club under the renowned coach Tarak Sinha. Born into a Punjabi family, he started his cricketing journey as a wicketkeeper before evolving into a dominant left-handed batter. His story is one of dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the game.
Early Career and Youth Journey of Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan’s cricketing journey began with the Delhi Under-16s in the 1999/00 Vijay Merchant Trophy.
He showcased his potential by becoming the leading run scorer in the 2000/01 season, amassing 755 runs at an impressive average of 83.88, with a top score of 199. His consistent performances earned him a place in the North Zone Under-16s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2001, where he made notable contributions, including scores of 30 and 66 in the semifinal.
Dhawan’s success at the Under-16 level led to his selection for the India Under-17 squad in the ACC Under-17 Asia Cup, where he averaged 85.
By October 2001, he had graduated to the Delhi Under-19 team for the Cooch Behar Trophy. He continued to shine, scoring 388 runs in the 2002 season and later leading Delhi Under-19 as captain, where he averaged 66.66 in the MA Chidambaram Trophy.
His remarkable run culminated in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer with 505 runs at an average of 84.16, earning the Player of the Tournament title.
Early Domestic Career
Dhawan made his first-class debut for Delhi in the 2004–05 Ranji Trophy, scoring 461 runs that season, including a top score of 130. He transitioned to List A cricket during the Ranji One-day Trophy in January 2005, where he scored back-to-back centuries.
His performances led to a call-up for the India Seniors squad in the Challenger Trophy, where he made a match-winning 126, sharing a 246-run opening partnership with MS Dhoni.
Between 2005 and 2010, Dhawan established himself as a prolific domestic performer. Notable highlights include being the leading scorer in the EurAsia Cricket Series in 2006 with 288 runs and captaining Delhi in the 2007 Ranji One-Day Trophy.
In the 2007–08 Ranji Trophy, Dhawan contributed to Delhi’s championship win with 570 runs at an average of 43.84.
Dhawan’s form in the limited-overs format stood out, as he scored 389 runs at an average of 97.25 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2008.
He continued his strong run in the 2009 Challenger Trophy for India Red, averaging 48.33, and delivered exceptional performances in the 2009–10 Ranji Trophy, where he scored 224 and 100 in consecutive games.
Shikhar Dhawan’s early career laid a solid foundation for his entry into international cricket, showcasing his resilience, leadership, and remarkable batting prowess.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Struggles and Comeback
Shikhar Dhawan faced ups and downs in his cricket journey before becoming a star for India. He impressed in 2010 with strong performances for India A, including a big score of 179 against Yorkshire.
However, he struggled with consistency in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, failing to secure a regular spot in the national team.
In 2011, Dhawan made a comeback with brilliant knocks in the Irani Cup, scoring 177 and 155, earning the Player of the Match award. Despite challenges, he kept improving and found form in the 2012–13 season, shining in the Challenger Trophy and scoring consistently in domestic cricket.
Dhawan’s determination and hard work helped him return to the Indian squad, showcasing his resilience in overcoming setbacks.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Success in the Champions Trophy
Shikhar Dhawan’s remarkable journey in international cricket began with his Test debut in 2013 against Australia.
He was called up to the squad after consistent performances in domestic cricket. During his debut match in Mohali, Dhawan made history by scoring the fastest century ever on his Test debut, off just 85 balls.
He went on to score 187 runs and win the Man of the Match award, though he had to miss the next Test due to a hand injury. Dhawan’s comeback came in the 2013 Indian Premier League, where he impressed with his batting form, helping him secure a place in India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy later that year.
In the Champions Trophy, Dhawan was instrumental in India’s success. He scored his maiden ODI century against South Africa and followed it up with another hundred against the West Indies.
His performance earned him the Golden Bat for the highest run scorer of the tournament, with 363 runs in five matches at an average of 90.75. Dhawan was also named Player of the Tournament as India went on to win the Champions Trophy.
His consistent performances continued with strong outings in series against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, further establishing him as a key player for India.
Shikhar Dhawan’s cricket career has been marked by some brilliant performances as well as moments of struggle. In 2013, Dhawan was in exceptional form, especially during India A’s tour of South Africa, where he scored an astonishing 248 runs off 150 balls against South Africa A.
His performance, which helped India A post 433/3 was lauded by South Africa A captain, Justin Ontong, who described it as “the best one-day innings” he had ever seen.
Dhawan’s dominance continued in a triangular series against South Africa A and Australia A, where he finished as the highest run scorer with 410 runs at an average of 102.50.
He followed that with impressive performances in ODIs against Australia and the West Indies, earning a place in the World ODI XI of the year.
However, Dhawan’s journey wasn’t without its struggles. On India’s tour to South Africa in late 2013 and early 2014, he faced a series of low scores.
His performance in the ODI and Test series against South Africa and New Zealand was disappointing, leading to his dropping from the team for a brief period. Despite this, he made a strong comeback with an excellent 119 runs off 95 balls in the third ODI against the West Indies in 2014.
Dhawan’s inconsistency continued into 2014, with some notable performances like a 113-run knock against Sri Lanka in the 5-0 series win.
But he also faced difficulties, especially in Test matches, which saw him dropped from the team. Despite these setbacks, Dhawan showed resilience and bounced back in subsequent series, such as the 2015 World Cup, where he was instrumental in India’s success, scoring two centuries and finishing as the fifth-highest run scorer of the tournament.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy, Dhawan marked his return to the international scene with a brilliant century against Sri Lanka and played a crucial role in India’s progress to the final, where he was awarded the Golden Bat for the most runs in the tournament.
Dhawan’s career is a testament to his ability to overcome challenges and deliver match-winning performances when it matters most.
