OTD: Shikhar Dhawan was born in 1985

December 5 marks the birth of former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan, whose international career stretched well over a decade. Dhawan made a dream Test debut, smashing a record 187 against Australia in Mohali, not only the highest score by an Indian debutant in men’s Tests but also the eighth-best debut innings overall. He reached his century in just 85 balls, the fastest Test hundred on debut.

While his Test career had contrasting numbers at home and away –he averaged 61 in Asia and 26.82 outside – Dhawan remained a regular member in the white-ball setup. He scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35 across 164 ODIs. Among Indian batters with more than 3000 ODI runs, only Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar have a better average, placing Dhawan in the elite list.

His performances in ICC 50-over tournaments gave him the moniker of ‘Mr. ICC’. Dhawan’s average of 65.15 in ODI World Cups and Champions Trophy matches, across 20 innings, is the highest among all batters with at least 1000 runs in these competitions. He scored six centuries in the marquee events while passing fifty on ten occasions. 

His best partnerships in ODIs came with Rohit Sharma. Together, the duo stitched 18 centuries, the second-most by any opening pair after Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s 21. Their aggregate of 5148 runs is the fourth-highest among all opening combinations worldwide.

Dhawan was also among the quickest to major milestones, reaching 6000 ODI runs in just 140 innings, with only Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and David Warner getting there faster. He recorded his 100th ODI in style as well, scoring 109 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2018, becoming one of just ten players to score a century in their 100th ODI.

His record outside India in ODIs was impressive too. Of his 17 ODI hundreds, 12 came away from home, and he averaged 44.03 outside Asia in the format. He averaged 46.68 with eight hundreds in Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa (SENA) combined.

In the IPL, he finished with 6769 runs, placing him third in the list of highest-run scorers in the history of the tournament. His 768 fours are the most by any player, and his tally of five 500-plus seasons – in 2012, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021 – places him among the tournament’s most consistent performers. 

The southpaw announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on  August 24, 2024, but he continues to feature in Legends leagues around the world.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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