A Farewell to the King of ICC Tournaments: Shikhar Dhawan

In the annals of Indian cricket, where names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma dominate, another name demands respect—Shikhar Dhawan. Before the Kohli-Rohit era took center stage, and long before the young stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal began to shine, Dhawan was the man India turned to when it mattered the most. His career, which spanned over a decade, was marked by consistency, resilience, and an uncanny knack for delivering when it counted—especially in ICC tournaments. Now, as he bids adieu to international and domestic cricket, it’s time to look back at the legacy of a man who quietly became one of India’s most dependable match-winners.

 

A Star is Born

Dhawan’s rise to fame was meteoric. His first significant contribution to Indian cricket came in the 2004 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. With over 500 runs, including three centuries, Dhawan showed early signs of his big-match temperament. Six years later, he made his India debut in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam. It was a humble beginning—he got out for a duck. But this was just the start of a journey that would see him become one of India’s most reliable white-ball players.

 

His Test Debut

In March 2013, Dhawan made his Test debut against Australia, and what a debut it was! Smashing the fastest century by a debutant in Test cricket, off just 85 balls, Dhawan announced himself on the grand stage with a bang. His 187 runs in that innings remain the highest score by an Indian debutant in Tests. It was a testament to his aggressive yet composed style of play—a combination that would define his career.

 

The King of ICC Tournaments

When it came to ICC tournaments, Dhawan was in a league of his own. His performances in the 2013 Champions Trophy were nothing short of spectacular. With 363 runs at an average of 90.75, he was the highest run-scorer, guiding India to the title and earning the Player of the Tournament award. This was just the beginning. He continued to shine in the 2015 ODI World Cup, the 2017 Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cups of 2014 and 2018. With six centuries and an average of 65.15 in ICC tournaments, Dhawan became India’s go-to man on the big stage.

 

Dhawan: The IPL Icon

While his international exploits are well-documented, Dhawan’s IPL career is equally impressive. Representing five different teams, he became the second-highest run-getter in the league’s history with 6769 runs. He also holds the record for the most fours (768) in IPL history. Whether it was his back-to-back centuries in 2020 or his consistent performances season after season, Dhawan’s impact on the IPL is undeniable.

 

Dhawan Hangs Up His Boots

After leading the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, Dhawan decided to hang up his boots. With 24 international centuries, 10,867 runs, and countless memories, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence. His career may not have always grabbed the headlines, but for those who watched him play, Shikhar Dhawan was nothing short of a cricketing giant.

 

In his own words, “I got fame and fortune and the love of everyone,” and indeed, the love and respect he earned will keep his legacy alive for years to come. As he steps away from the pitch, Indian cricket bids farewell to a true legend—a man who always saved his best for when it mattered the most.