On December 5, cricket enthusiasts extend their warm wishes to Shikhar Dhawan as the accomplished opener turns 38. Currently taking a break from the cricketing arena, Dhawan reflects on his journey, which has witnessed remarkable highs and, more recently, challenges with Team India’s evolving strategies.
The recently concluded T20 series against Australia marked a transitional phase for Team India, with the conclusion of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. While the squad reshaped its game plan for the future, one notable absence stood out – Shikhar Dhawan.
Captaincy duties briefly adorned Dhawan before the World Cup, but his aspirations to participate in the prestigious tournament were unfulfilled. Despite his pivotal role in Team India’s successes, post-2019 World Cup, the management shifted its focus to emerging talents, leading to Dhawan’s sidelining.
“Shikhar Dhawan bid adieu to international cricket in December 2022, marking the end of an era for the left-handed batsman. His glory days include standout performances in the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2015, and 2019 Cricket World Cups. However, the post-2019 era saw the emergence of young players, and Dhawan found himself on the periphery”.
While Shikhar Dhawan continued to contribute whenever given the opportunity, the coveted spot in the 2023 World Cup eluded him. The likes of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Ruturaj Gaikwad secured places in the squad, leaving Dhawan on the fringes.
Debuting in 2010, Shikhar Dhawan’s fortunes transformed in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where MS Dhoni envisioned him as a formidable opener alongside Rohit Sharma. For nearly a decade, Dhawan delivered consistently for Team India, accumulating 6793 runs in 167 ODIs, featuring 17 centuries at an impressive average of 45.
Shikhar Dhawan’s contributions extended to Tests and T20s, amassing 2315 runs with 7 centuries in 34 Tests and 1800 runs in 68 T20 matches. However, the 2018 Test marked his last appearance in the format, followed by his final ODI in 2022 and T20I in 2021.
As Shikhar Dhawan enters his 38th year, the question of a return to Team India lingers, given the uncertainty surrounding his future in international cricket. The upcoming years may hold challenges, but Dhawan’s legacy as one of India’s prolific openers remains etched in the annals of the sport.
