THE BOLD AND BRAVE ‘GABBAR’ SMILES INTO THE SUNSET!

It’s not often that an international cricket retirement makes cricket fans melancholic. But this is exactly what most Indian fans and cricket lovers across the world felt as Shikhar Dhawan announced retirement from international and domestic cricket a few days back. His decision to step away from the game marks the end of an era for Indian cricket that was defined by the terrific trio of Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Together, these three batsmen scored over 100 centuries in just five years, a feat that is unlikely to be replicated anytime soon!

Popularly called ‘Gabbar’ for his fearless batting style, Dhawan will be remembered for his flamboyant personality and consistent performances. Despite the speculation that he could have made a comeback to the Indian team, Dhawan himself seems at peace with his decision to retire. In a heartfelt message on social media, he expressed his contentment, saying, “I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played for so long for India. I tell myself not to feel sad that you will not play for India anymore but to feel happy that you played for your country.”

His cricketing journey began at a young age and quickly gained momentum when he made a name for himself in the Under-19 World Cup in 2004, where he was the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Dhawan’s impressive performances caught the attention of selectors, paving the way for his entry into the Indian domestic circuit. Dhawan made his first-class debut for Delhi in 2004 and quickly established himself as a dashing and dependable opening batsman. His domestic achievements eventually earned him a spot on the national team, although his journey to cement a place was fraught with challenges.

Dhawan made his international debut in 2010 in an ODI against Australia, but it was his Test debut in 2013 that truly showcased his potential. In Mohali, he scored a stunning 187 off 174 balls against Australia, making it the fastest century on debut (85 balls) in Test history. His fearless approach and aggressive stroke play immediately won him fans and admiration from cricketing experts alike. This innings was a turning point in Dhawan’s career, solidifying his place as one of India’s premier opening batsmen across all formats.

Over the years, Dhawan became particularly known for his fine performances in ICC tournaments, where he consistently delivered match-winning contributions. His partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top order started in 2013 Champions Trophy where Dhawan was the leading run scorer. Later, the RohitShikhar pair became one of the most successful and delightful opening combinations in ODI history. The duo’s understanding and complementary styles often provided India with strong starts, laying the foundation for many memorable victories including the title win at the Champions Trophy itself.

Dhawan’s statistics speak for themselves. He retires as one of only eight ODI batsmen with over 5000 runs at a 40-plus average and a 90-plus strike rate. In 167 ODIs, he scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. His last ODI appearance was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. In Test cricket, he amassed 2315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.61, while in T20Is, he scored 1759 runs at a strike rate of 126.36 in 68 games.

While his aggressive batting style was a hallmark of his game, it also led to some inconsistency, particularly in challenging overseas conditions. Despite this, his impact on the game remained significant, with several match-winning contributions both at home and abroad. His performances in ICC tournaments, particularly the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy, where he was the leading run-scorer, solidified his reputation as a biggame player. In fact, even in his last World Cup game in 2019, he scored a match winning century playing with a broken thumb which eventually ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

As Dhawan approached the latter stages of his career, injuries and a dip in form began to affect his performances. Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar noted that injuries hampered Dhawan’s ability to display his full potential on the international stage in the latter part of his career. The emergence of younger talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal added to the challenges Dhawan faced in maintaining his place in the Indian team.

Dhawan will be remembered not only for his runs but also for his unique style and his ever-smiling visage. Although his international career has come to an end, Dhawan will continue to feature in the IPL, giving fans a few more years of his shining presence on the cricket field. His journey will continue to inspire millions of youngsters to follow their dreams of playing for India.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry