Age
39
Player Skill
Batter
Batting Style
Left Handed
Bowling Style
Off break
Test Ranking: N/A
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, born on December 5, 1985, in New Delhi, India, has become a renowned name in international cricket. Known for his aggressive style and dynamic strokeplay, Dhawan began his cricket journey early. By the age of 12, he was training under the esteemed coach Tarak Sinha at Sonnet Club, initially playing as a wicketkeeper. His talent soon became evident as he scored freely for Delhi U16 and progressed to the North Zone U16 side. At 15, he was selected for the India U17 team for the ACC Under-17 Asia Cup, where his performance demonstrated his potential to compete at higher levels.
U-19 Success and First-Class Debut
Dhawan’s seamless transition to the India U19 team culminated in a standout performance at the 2004 U19 Cricket World Cup, where he scored 505 runs, earning the Player of the Tournament award. Later that year, he made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy, finishing as Delhi’s leading run-scorer with 461 runs in six matches.
Domestic Dominance and Entry into T20 Cricket
The next few years saw Dhawan dominating the domestic circuit. In 2005, he made his List A debut, and by 2007, he had entered the T20 arena, playing in the Inter-State Twenty-20 Tournament. His Indian Premier League journey began with the Delhi franchise in 2008, and he later represented the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
International Breakthrough: ODI and Test Success
Dhawan’s international debut came in an ODI against Australia in 2010. His big break, however, was in the 2013 Test series against Australia, where he scored the fastest century by a debutant. Despite an injury setback, he shone in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, earning the Golden Bat award as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
Cementing His Place: Continued Success and Leadership
Despite a dip in form in 2014, Dhawan bounced back during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, scoring two centuries. He maintained his stellar performance at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, once again winning the Golden Bat. His consistent form solidified his position in India’s limited-overs setup, and he was pivotal in his Indian Premier League team’s successes.
Dhawan’s Recent Years: Captaincy and Milestones
In 2021, Dhawan led India in the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. Though omitted from the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, he was picked by the Punjab franchise for the IPL 2022 and celebrated his 200th game in the league. In 2023, as captain of Punjab, he scored 373 runs over 11 games, earning him a continued leadership role for the next season. As younger talents emerge, Dhawan’s international appearances may decrease, but his contribution to Indian cricket remains invaluable.
FAQs About Shikhar Dhawan
When did Shikhar Dhawan make his international debut?
Shikhar Dhawan made his international debut in an ODI against Australia in 2010.
How many runs did Dhawan score in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy?
Shikhar Dhawan scored 363 runs in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, becoming the highest run-scorer of the tournament.
What is Dhawan known for besides his batting style?
Dhawan is famous for his signature kabaddi thigh-slap celebration after taking a catch.
Which franchises has Shikhar Dhawan represented in the IPL?
Shikhar Dhawan has played for the Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Punjab franchises in the IPL.
Has Dhawan ever captained the Indian cricket team?
Yes, Shikhar Dhawan captained the Indian cricket team during the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2021.
