Shikhar Dhawan Retires: Top 5 Knocks Of Gabbar In International Cricket
Very few cricketers evoke the same flair and tenacity as Shikhar Dhawan. Fondly nicknamed “Gabbar,” Shikhar Dhawan’s career has spanned a decade and is a story of grit, elegance, and an undying love for the game. His journey from the dust-bowl grounds of Delhi to the pinnacle of international cricket shall be remembered not only for the runs he scored but also for the style in which he played the game—always with an infectious smile and an aggressive yet graceful style. On the day Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international cricket, what needed to be done was to turn back and see those innings which shaped his legacy. Be it his dazzling debut or the match-winning performances in high-pressure games, Dhawan’s career forms a collection of iconic moments forever etched in the memory of cricket fans globally. Here, revisit five of his most memorable innings that define his contribution to Indian cricket. 1. Debut – 187 vs Australia, 2010 Dhawan’s Test debut against Australia was nothing short of spectacular. Facing a formidable Australian bowling attack, the Delhi-born cricketer announced his arrival with a breathtaking 187, setting the record for the highest score by an Indian on Test debut. His innings was adjudged to be an exemplary combination of confidence and skill which put his skillful abilities with the bat in the limelight and scripted the foundation for India’s victory. This knock not only secured the victory but was also a starting point in Dhawan’s journey as one of the pivotal figures in the Indian batting line-up. 2. Champions Trophy 2013 – 137 vs England The situation was clear: any runs would count in the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2013. That 137 for Dhawan was of paramount importance in the context of India’s chase. His association with Virat Kohli turned out to be the deciding factor, and his ability to perform under pressure earned him the Player of the Tournament award. This knock testified more to his ability to rise to any situation and play match-winning innings whenever it really mattered. 3. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 – 137 vs South Africa One of Dhawan’s most memorable innings was saved for a strong South African bowling attack during the 2015 ICC World Cup. His 137 off 146 balls helped India post a challenging total and secure a crucial win against one of the tournament’s top contenders. Playing in Melbourne, Dhawan’s knock broke India’s jinx against South Africa in World Cups and proved he can perform on the biggest stage. 4. India’s Tour Of Sri Lanka 2017 – 190 vs Sri Lanka Dhawan’s 190 off 168 balls against Sri Lanka during the Galle Test was an example of his attacking bent of mind in the game’s longer format. His blistering innings set up the scene for a comprehensive Indian victory, underlining his reputation as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the team. This aggressive and incisive knock would go a long way in proving that Dhawan has the mettle to dominate any bowling attack in any format. 5. West Indies Tour Of India 2018 – 190 vs West Indies When Dhawan needed reaffirmation in his Test career, he came up with a masterclass in the form of a knock of 190 against the West Indies in Rajkot. Runs came both in terms of elegance and power, as Dhawan’s innings saw him hit 26 fours, proving very crucial to India’s victory. This not only reinstated his place in the Test team but also proved that Dhawan could adapt and do well in any situation. As Shikhar Dhawan walks into the sunset of international cricket, it will be recalled not only for the runs he scored but also for the manner in which he played the game—being infectious with his smile, fearless in his approach, and always rising to the occasion. His legacy thus is one of flair, resilience and rising to an occasion with what looked like never-say-die attitude—his contribution to Indian cricket, in general, cannot be belittled. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Gabbar Calls Time On His Cricketing Career
Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, announced his retirement from international cricket after a glorious 14-year stint. The 38-year-old left-handed opening batsman took to social media on Saturday morning, 24th August, 2024 to share the news, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by cricket fans worldwide. Retirement Announcement “It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life and that’s why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket,” Dhawan said in a video posted on his social media accounts. “I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played so long for India. I’ve told myself don’t feel sad that you won’t play for India anymore, but feel happy that you played for the country.“ Dhawan’s Final Appearance Dhawan last played competitive cricket in April 2024, turning out as the captain for Punjab Kings in the IPL. Across his international career, he compiled 24 centuries from 269 matches—17 in ODIs and seven in Tests—cementing his status as a modern-day great of the limited-overs format. Dhawan – A Modern Day Great Known for his consistency in ODIs, Dhawan retires as one of only eight players in the format’s history to score more than 5000 runs at an average of plus 40 with a strike rate above 90. Among Indians, he shared the feat with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Dhawan had last represented India in the ODI series against Bangladesh in December 2022. Dhawan’s Test Debut While Dhawan made his mark across all formats, it was his ODI performances that really set him apart. His journey to international stardom began with a sensational Test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2013, where he smashed an 85-ball century—the fastest by a Test debutant—and went on to score 187 runs in a match-winning effort. The Real ‘GABBAR’ Of The Champions Trophy Dhawan’s most prolific year came in 2013 when he scored 1162 runs in ODIs at an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. The crowning moment of that year was his outstanding performance in the Champions Trophy, where he scored 363 runs in five innings with two hundreds, which piloted India to victory. This was the start of a potent opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, which, for now, is the fourth-best in ODI history and second-best for India, sitting only behind the legendary opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Key Contributions Over the next couple of years, Dhawan continued to excel in multi-team tournaments, topping the charts as India’s highest run-scorer in the 2014 Asia Cup, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017, and Asia Cup 2018. Thereby, pressure handling developed into his key asset in an India ODI setup. Injury Setback During the 2019 World Cup Dhawan’s ODI career was put on the brakes in 2019 when he got injured on the thumb during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England just after scoring a century against Australia at The Oval. Despite the setback, Dhawan’s contributions were recognized as he was entrusted with captaincy duties for India’s second string sides in the latter half of his career. Gabbar Belting It In The IPL Dhawan has had some success in IPL teams like Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. Currently, he is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, just a run behind Virat Kohli, with 6769 runs from 221 innings, at a strike rate of 127.14. Dhawan’s Domestic Dominance But apart from his international and IPL exploits, Dhawan has also been an important domestic cricketer. He was a part of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy-winning team in the 2007-08 season, while at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004 he was the top run-scorer for India. Farewell to a Legend As Dhawan retires from international cricket, he leaves behind a legacy of being one of India’s greatest ODI players. What he has accomplished as a player and as a leader is for eternity, and the fans will always remember his fearless batting and trademark celebrations. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
