Shikhar Dhawan picks his two best knocks: 38-year-old Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024. The former India opener brought an end to a great career that spanned 13 years and 269 international matches.
Dhawan scored 2315 runs in test cricket at an average of 40, with 7 centuries, and 1759 runs in T20Is at an average of 27. But his career will be remembered for his success and legacy in ODI cricket.
The opener scored 6793 runs in 167 ODIs at an average of 44 with 17 centuries and 38 fifties. He is hailed as India’s “Mr. ICC” by the fans for his stunning performances in the ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy.
Dhawan was the chief contributor to India’s success in the 2013 Champions Trophy, in which he finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. He was India’s highest scorer in the Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017, and Asia Cup 2018.
In 10 matches across two ODI World Cups, in 2015 and 2019, he scored 537 runs at an admirable average of 53, with three centuries. In 10 matches in two Champions Trophy tournaments, in 2013 and 2017, he scored 701 runs at an average of 77 with three centuries.
Shikhar Dhawan picks his two best knocks in his ODI career
Dhawan picked his century against Australia in the 2019 World Cup at the Oval as his favorite knock. He pointed out that he was injured on his thumb in the ninth over of India’s innings by a short ball from Pat Cummins. Yet, the opener battled on, after taking painkillers and pain-relieving spray, to record a match-winning ton. However, his tournament ended after this game, as scans revealed a fracture in his thumb.
“I have a few favourite innings that are close to my heart, especially the 2019 World Cup. We were playing a match against Australia. I was batting on 25 when I broke my thumb. The ball came at 150 clicks and hit me here (pointing towards his left thumb). I popped painkillers and scored 117 from there,” Dhawan told Hindustan Times.
Another knock that the opener cherishes is against South Africa in the 2015 World Cup game at the MCG. He had been struggling for a big score in the months preceding the tournament, but captain MS Dhoni backed him, and he came good in a key fixture in the tournament against the Proteas.
“The MCG one was also a very good knock of mine. More so because I wasn’t scoring runs prior to it. I am thankful to Dhoni for backing me and persisting with me in the World Cup. I was always able to play well in ODIs, but the occasional dip in form is inevitable. That’s when I scored those 137 runs. I like that one too,” Dhawan said.
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