Shikhar Dhawan, who announced his retirement on Saturday, was India’s mainstay opener in the previous decade, providing stability as a top-order batter across the three formats. He had a stable run in Tests (2,315 runs at an average of 40.61) and T20Is (1,759 runs at 27.92), but it was in the ODI format (6,793 runs at 44.11) where the southpaw truly came into his own.
Dhawan played a crucial role in holding the top order together after the departure of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in the early 2010s, as per the ICC.
Let’s look at his best batting performances across his 12-year career:
The Mohali Turnaround
Dhawan’s 187 vs. Australia, third Test, Mohali, 2013: Highest ever by an India Test debutant
Shikhar Dhawan had featured in a handful of limited-over games since making his debut in 2010 but hadn’t left his mark as a batter yet.
That all changed when he replaced an out-of-form Sehwag in the India XI for the third Test of the four-game Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia to make his Test debut. There were just two games left in the series, and Dhawan needed to be at his best to reignite his international career.
After Australia scored a formidable 408 in the first innings, Dhawan responded with a sensational 187, including 33 fours and two sixes, in his Test debut. His century came off merely 85 balls, the fastest ever by a debutant in the format. His score remains the highest ever by an India Test debutant.
The Men in Blue secured a 91-run lead, which was backed by the bowlers who held Australia to 223 in the third innings. India chased down a modest target of 133 with six wickets to spare, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
Champion of Cardiff
114 vs. South Africa, Champions Trophy, Cardiff, 2013
Dhawan’s Mohali special helped him break into the other formats. After being picked in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, Dhawan was partnered with Rohit Sharma as India sought a new opening combination at the top.
In India’s opening game in Cardiff, the new left-right-hand combination worked wonders against a South African attack featuring Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Rory Kleinveldt, and Ryan McLaren, as they added 127 runs for the first wicket. While Rohit perished for a well-made 65, Dhawan smashed his maiden ODI hundred, ensuring a match-winning total of 331/7 for India.
Dhawan’s 114 came off merely 94 balls, with 12 fours and a six to his name. Dhawan thrived in the remaining games of the tournament as well, providing solidity at the top with Rohit. He was the leading run-getter at the tournament.
India had an unbeaten run to the title and unearthed a new opening combination by the end of it.
Fighting Performance in Auckland
115 vs. New Zealand, 1st Test, Auckland, 2014
India began the opening Test of the two-game series in New Zealand under inauspicious circumstances. They hadn’t won a Test away from home since 2011 and had lost the preceding ODI series 4-0 to the Black Caps.
A double hundred from Brendon McCullum (224) and a century from Kane Williamson (113) were followed by a brilliant fast-bowling display, as New Zealand secured a 301-run lead. Led by Ishant Sharma (3/28) and Mohammed Shami (3/37), India’s pacers skittled New Zealand out for 105 in their second innings. Still, a target of 407 was a daunting prospect given India’s performance in the first innings.
Dhawan, who had fallen for a duck to Trent Boult earlier, set the tone with an attacking start. Along with Virat Kohli (67), he stitched a crucial stand of 126 runs for the third wicket. He eventually fell for 115 when the score was 248, and India fell short by 40 runs.
However, the knock also demonstrated that Dhawan was an adept batter in overseas conditions.
Breaking the Hoodoo in Melbourne:
137 vs. South Africa, Cricket World Cup, Melbourne, 2015
India faced South Africa in their second group game in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015. While the Men in Blue had gotten off to a winning start against Pakistan, the South Africa contest was an entirely different ballgame.
The Proteas had gotten the better of India in all their previous meetings (1992, 1999, 2011) in the Men’s Cricket World Cups. Moreover, captained by AB de Villiers, South Africa fielded an exceptional lineup with the likes of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, and Quinton de Kock.
After India elected to bat, Rohit Sharma was run out for a duck in the third over. Dhawan then picked up from his end and stitched splendid partnerships with Virat Kohli (46) and Ajinkya Rahane (79). Taking on all the South African bowlers, Dhawan dispatched the Proteas around the ground, hitting 18 boundaries during his ton, including two sixes.
By the time the southpaw was dismissed, India was well set for a 300-plus total.
Dhawan followed up his 137 with two important catches, as South Africa was bowled out for 177, and India secured a 130-run win.
True Grit at The Oval
117 vs. Australia, Cricket World Cup, The Oval, 2019
After a comfortable win against South Africa in their first group match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, India faced Australia at The Oval. This was a significant contest because India’s unbeaten run in the 2015 edition was halted by Australia in the semi-final, who went on to win the tournament.
Along with Rohit (57), Dhawan gave India the perfect start, taking the lead in attacking strokeplay. Despite getting hit by Pat Cummins, Dhawan continued against a formidable Australian attack. He hit 16 fours during his century, which came off 95 balls. This was his sixth and final hundred in ICC tournaments.
Cameos from Hardik Pandya (48 from 27) and MS Dhoni (27 from 14) helped the Men in Blue make the most of this start and led them to 352/5. This is India’s highest Cricket World Cup total against Australia.
A sharp bowling performance ensured a 36-run victory for India. However, later scans revealed that Dhawan had fractured his thumb during his innings and was ruled out of the tournament.
This brave knock in tough circumstances proved to be Dhawan’s final outing in an ICC tournament.