The career of Shikhar Dhawan officially concluded on 24 August 2024, marking the end of a tenure as an opening batter for India that spanned over a decade. Born in 1985 in Delhi, he developed his skills at the Sonnet Club under Tarak Sinha, eventually becoming a consistent performer in international limited-overs competitions.
Formative years in Delhi
Born on 5 December 1985 to Sunaina and Mahendra Pal Dhawan, he attended St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School. At age 12, he joined the Sonnet Club, initially training as a wicket-keeper before transitioning to left-handed batting. His early development included success in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he led the 2000/01 tournament in scoring. By October 2001, he joined the Delhi Under-19 team, and he eventually captained the side during the 2003 MA Chidambaram Trophy.
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Dhawan represented India at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup held in Bangladesh. He finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 505 runs, maintaining an average of 84.16. His performance included three centuries and a fifty, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament. This period solidified his standing as a prominent talent in the national youth setup.
Domestic and senior transition
In November 2004, he debuted in first-class cricket for Delhi against Andhra. He quickly established himself by becoming Delhi's leading run-getter in the 2004–05 Ranji Trophy season. During the 2005 Challenger Trophy, he partnered with MS Dhoni for a 246-run opening stand against India B. He later played for North Zone and represented India A at the EurAsia Cricket Series in 2006, where he finished as the leading run-scorer.
Record-setting international milestones
He made his debut in international competition in October 2010. His Test entry in March 2013 against Australia at Mohali saw him score 187 runs from 174 balls, the fastest century by a debutant and the highest score by an Indian on Test debut. In 2013, he was named Player of the Tournament for the ICC Champions Trophy. He later became the first Indian to score a century during his 100th appearance in the format.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 December 1985, Delhi, India
- Test debut: March 2013, Mohali
- Retirement date: 24 August 2024
- Awards: Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2014), Arjuna Award (2021)
- Highest Test debut score by an Indian: 187 runs
- 2004 Under-19 World Cup total runs: 505
Questions readers ask
What record did Dhawan set on his Test debut?
He scored the fastest century by any batsman on Test debut, reaching the milestone in 85 balls.
How long was his career in international cricket?
He was a regular member of the Indian team in limited-overs formats for over a decade before retiring in 2024.
