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On August 24, 2024, one of India’s flashy openers, Shikhar Dhawan, announced his retirement from international cricket. India did not need to search for an opener for nearly ten years thanks to the southpaw’s fearless hitting, which was another synonym. In October 2010, at the age of 25, he played his first ODI for India against Australia. After eight months, he made his T20I debut, and it took him nearly three years to don the Indian whites in 2013. He won the Champions Trophy 2013 that same year and was awarded Player of the Series.
Unlike other well-known Indian openers like Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma, Dhawan had an eccentric way of tackling the short ball. His cover-taped jump shot left photographers wanting more. When it comes to ODIs, the former India opener is known as the King of ICC events. With an average of 44.11, he has surpassed the legendary Sourav Ganguly (40.95) to become the fifth-best Indian hitter in ODI history. In the context of ICC ODI events, he performs better than Virat Kohli (64.55) with an average of 65.15 over 20 innings.
Here Top five greatest knocks by Shikhar Dhawan:
1. 137 vs South Africa, MCG, World Cup 2015
Prior to the 13th match of the 2015 World Cup, India held the unenviable record of losing three times in as many 50-over World Cup matches to Proteas. India and South Africa were ranked first and second in the ODI rankings, respectively. India lost Rohit Sharma after an unlucky runout when they were batting first.
Dhawan has stitched partnerships of 127 and 125 with Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli, respectively. At the completion of his knock of 137 off 146 balls, he had hit 16 boundaries and two maximums. With two catches made on the pitch, he helped India break the 130-run record against the Proteas, thanks to Dhawan’s Player of the Match display.
2. 114 vs South Africa, Cardiff, Champions Trophy 2013
Not only was it Dhawan’s first-ever ICC tournament match, but the Indian squad also had a lot riding on it. Before India’s opening match in the 2013 Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma was elevated to the position of opener and paired with the southpaw.
Dhawan kept the scoreboard running as the two set up a 127-run stand. Apart from Ravindra Jadeja’s undefeated 47, no other batter after them scored more than 40 runs. Player of the Match went to the opener, who scored 114 off 94 with 12 boundaries and one maximum. In the main event, India was able to start off strong with a 26-run triumph.
3. 187 vs Australia, 3rd Test, Mohali, 2013
When none other than Sachin Tendulkar gave Dhawan the Test cap, the eagerly anticipated Test debut finally took place. Australia scored 408 runs when they chose to bat first. For 289 runs for the first wicket, Shikhar Dhawan and Murli Vijay combined. Dhawan finished with 187 off 174, 33 boundaries, and two maximums out of those 289. The fastest century on a Test debut is held by him.
Australia was limited to 223 runs in their second innings by India, who scored 499 runs. India lost four wickets and scored 136 runs while needing to chase 132 runs because Dhawan did not bat. He was named Player of the Match in his first Test match. After nearly three months, the innings made it possible for Dhawan to play in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
4. 114 vs Pakistan, Dubai, Asia Cup 2018
For the bowlers, Sunil Gavaskar had declared the ground to be a “absolute graveyard.” Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss. The arch-rivals were held to just 237 runs thanks to two wickets apiece from Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Jasprit Bumrah.
The Delhi hitter was in form as he amassed 114 runs off of 100 deliveries, including two maximums and 16 boundaries. He and Rohit put up 210 runs for the first wicket. Dhawan ran to the dressing room as the audience gave him a standing ovation after he was run out in the 34th over. With nine wickets and 63 balls left, India ultimately prevailed in the match.
5. 117 vs Australia, The Oval, World Cup 2019
Playing in his final 50-over ICC event, Dhawan and Rohit effectively shut down Australia’s bowling attack. India got off to a fantastic start when the opening duo scored 127 runs for the first wicket. Before being dismissed by Mitchel Starc in the 37th over, Dhawan kept up the pace. For his second stand with Kohli, he scored 39 runs.
The left-handed hitters’ 117 runs in 109 balls and 16 boundaries were evidence of his unwavering determination to deny the Australians any breathing room. India defeated the Kangaroos by 36 runs because to three-wicket performances from Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Also Read: “Man for big tournaments”: Cricket players praise Shikhar Dhawan’s excellent career
Player of the Match went to Dhawan. But because India lacked a suitable opener for the remainder of the competition, he was forced to forfeit his place owing to a thumb injury.
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