Kolkata : India’s prolific opener Shikhar Dhawan has been an icon in opening over years.
He has been instrumental in India’s win in various ICC events especially , the victory of ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
He had a stable run in Tests (2315 runs at an average of 40.61) and T20Is (1759 runs at 27.92), but it was in the ODI format (6793 runs at 44.11) where he dominated.
He is also considered one of the greatest opener for India after Virendra Sehwag. Dhawan hung his boots on August 24,2024, from all forms of Cricket.
Let’s take a look on his Top 5 knocks of his illustrious careers :
(1) 114 vs South Africa, 2013 (ICC Champions Trophy 2013) – Start of dominance
MS Dhoni, then Indian Captain played a gamble in the Champions Trophy with setting a new opening combo of Dhawan and Rohit Sharma which proved to be a boon for Indian Cricket later on.
Dhawan smashed the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Rory Kleinveldt, and Ryan McLaren & scored his maiden ODI ton. He scored 114 off 92
He also went on to win India the Champions Trophy in 2013 , winning the Golden Bat too.
2) 187 vs Australia , Mohali – The Test debut ton
Shikhar Dhawan announced his arrival in Tests in style. Replacing out of form Sehwag, he took the chance to full advantage.
In response to Aussies 408 runs, Dhawan’s knock of 187 took India to 91 lead & helped them to defeat Australia. India later on whitewashed Aussies 4-0.
3) 117 vs Australia, Oval, (ICC WC 2019) – Hundred with broken finger
Defeating South Africa in 1st match, India went on to face the mighty Aussies. They defeated India in previous 2015 World Cup semi final ,winning the tournament & was a potential threat to India.
Shikhar despite being hit in the finger , got fractured, in an over of Pat Cummins, went on to score 117 runs & helping India to win the match. He was later ruled out of the tournament due to the fracture in the on going match.
4) 115 vs New Zealand, 2014, Auckland – A lone warrior
A Test series to forget for India, however, in 1st Test, Dhawan showed his heroics in 2nd innings. Chasing, 407 runs, Dhawan countered threats of in form Trent Boult and Tim Southee, scoring 115 runs. However, India fell short for just 40 runs.
5) 137 vs South Africa, 2015 (ICC ODI World Cup) – Defeating Proteas in World Cup for 1st time
Shikhar Dhawan and his love for ICC events continued. After defeating Pakistan in 1st match, Proteas were a threat to Men in Blue as the later never defeated them in an ODI World Cup then.
However, Shikhar Dhawan stood firm in opening despite losing Rohit Sharma for a duck.
Dhawan played a splendid knock of 137 helping India to post 300+ total and defeating South Africa by 130 runs, recording their 1st ODI victory against Proteas.
The legacy of Dhawan also continued all over his career in various other knocks.
