Shikhar Dhawan's international career, which spanned over a decade, is marked by numerous remarkable achievements. Let's delve into the key highlights of his journey, presented in a chronological and cohesive manner.
Early Signs of Greatness
Shikhar Dhawan first made waves at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, where he showcased his potential as a future star. He emerged as the tournament's highest run-scorer, amassing 505 runs at an average of 84.16 with a striking rate of 93.51. His performance included three centuries and a fifty, setting a new record for the most runs in a single edition of the U-19 World Cup, a record that stood until 2022. His contribution was pivotal in leading India to the semi-finals, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament.
Memorable Test Debut
Although Dhawan made his ODI debut in 2010, it wasn't until 2013 that he established himself in the Indian team. His Test debut came against Australia in Mohali in March 2013, where he delivered an unforgettable performance. Despite his nerves, stemming from his earlier ODI debut against the same team where he was dismissed for a two-ball duck, Dhawan played with confidence and skill. He scored a blazing century off just 85 balls, the fastest by any player on Test debut, finishing with a remarkable 187 runs. This remains the highest score by an Indian on Test debut and the eighth-highest overall.
Rising to the Occasion in ICC Tournaments
Dhawan's performance at the 2013 Champions Trophy in England solidified his reputation as a big-match player. Prior to this, he had only played five ODIs in the preceding two and a half years, scoring a total of 69 runs. However, he quickly turned things around, starting with consecutive centuries against South Africa and the West Indies. His consistency throughout the tournament, including crucial contributions against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England in the final, led India to victory. Dhawan finished as the tournament's top scorer with 363 runs at an average of 90.75 and a strike rate of 101.39, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Dominance in List A Matches
2013 was undoubtedly Dhawan's year. Riding high on his successes in Test cricket and the Champions Trophy, he continued his stellar form in a List A match for India A against South Africa A in Pretoria. He scored a stunning 248 runs off just 150 balls, including 30 fours and seven sixes. This innings helped India A post a total of 433 for 3 in 50 overs. Dhawan's knock, which was the second-highest List A score at the time, remains one of the highest individual scores by an Indian in List A cricket.
Consistency in ICC Tournaments
Dhawan developed a knack for delivering in high-pressure ICC tournaments. Following his success in the 2013 Champions Trophy, he became India's leading run-scorer in the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, he scored a brilliant century against Australia before an injury forced him out of the tournament. Among batsmen who have scored at least 1,000 runs in ICC's ODI tournaments, Dhawan boasts the highest average of 65.15, with 1238 runs, including six centuries and four fifties, across 20 matches.
IPL Achievements
Dhawan's prowess wasn't limited to international cricket; he also left a significant mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Throughout his IPL career, he represented five teams: Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils), Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. He retired as the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 6769 runs in 222 matches at an average of 35.25 and a strike rate of 127.14. Despite taking 167 innings to score his first IPL century in 2020, Dhawan quickly followed it up with another in the next match, becoming the first player to hit back-to-back centuries in the league. He also holds the record for the most fours in IPL history (768) and ranks third for the most 50-plus scores (53).
ODI Records and Partnerships
In ODI cricket, Dhawan was a force to be reckoned with. He scored 6793 runs in 164 innings at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. Among Indian players with more than 3,000 ODI runs, only Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar have higher averages. Dhawan's prowess in ICC tournaments was exceptional, with an average of 65.15 across 20 innings, making him the top performer among players with over 1,000 runs in these competitions.
Dhawan's partnership with Rohit Sharma was particularly prolific. Together, they scored 5148 runs in ODIs, making them the fourth-highest opening pair in terms of runs, with 18-century partnerships. Dhawan's ability to score consistently outside India was also notable, with 12 of his 17 ODI centuries coming on foreign soil.
As Shikhar Dhawan bids farewell to international and domestic cricket, his legacy is etched in the annals of cricket history. From his early promise at the U-19 World Cup to his stellar performances in ICC tournaments and the IPL, Dhawan's career is a testament to his skill, consistency, and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.