Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most loved cricketers, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. This news brought a wave of emotions for fans who admired his fearless batting and cheerful personality. Known as "Gabbar" for his bold style and iconic mustache, Dhawan’s journey from a young boy in Delhi to a cricketing legend is inspiring. His story is one of hard work, big dreams, and unforgettable moments. Let’s explore the life and career of this Indian cricket star in simple words.
Early Life And Love for Cricket
Shikhar Dhawan was born on December 5, 1985, in Delhi, India. He grew up in a Punjabi family with his parents, Sunaina and Mahendra Pal Dhawan. As a child, Shikhar was full of energy. He loved playing sports. At the age of 12, he joined the Sonnet Club in Delhi. His coach, Tarak Sinha, saw his talent early. Shikhar started as a wicketkeeper but soon became a batsman. He practiced hard every day. His love for cricket grew stronger with time. He studied at St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School in Meera Bagh, Delhi. Even as a student, cricket was his true passion.
Shikhar’s talent shone in youth cricket. He played for Delhi’s Under-16 team in 1999. He scored many runs in the Vijay Merchant Trophy in 2000-01. His average was an impressive 83.3. He made two centuries, including a top score of 199. This success got him selected for the India Under-17 team for the 2000-01 ACC Under-17 Asia Cup. Shikhar was only 15, but he showed he could play with the best. His performances made everyone notice him.
Shikhar Dhawan Age, Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Girlfriend, Wife, Father, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shikhar Dhawan |
| Nickname | Gabbar |
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Parents | Sunaina Dhawan (Mother), Mahendra Pal Dhawan (Father) |
| Education | St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School, Meera Bagh, Delhi |
| Early Cricket | Joined Sonnet Club in Delhi at age 12; coached by Tarak Sinha |
| Youth Cricket | Delhi Under-16 (1999); Top scorer in Vijay Merchant Trophy (2000-01) with 83.3 average; India Under-17 (2000-01) |
| Under-19 World Cup | 2004 (Bangladesh); Scored 505 runs, 3 centuries; Player of the Tournament |
| Domestic Debut | Ranji Trophy for Delhi (2004-05); Scored 461 runs, highest for Delhi |
| International Debut | ODI: Oct 2010 vs Australia; Test: Mar 14, 2013 vs Australia; T20I: June 2011 vs West Indies |
| Test Career | Matches: 34; Runs: 2,315; Average: 40.61; Centuries: 7; Highest Score: 190 |
| ODI Career | Matches: 167; Runs: 6,793; Average: 44.11; Centuries: 17; Highest Score: 143 |
| T20I Career | Matches: 68; Runs: 1,759; Strike Rate: 126.36; Fifties: 11; Highest Score: 92 |
| IPL Career | Matches: 222; Runs: 6,769; Average: 35.26; Centuries: 2; Fifties: 51; Teams: Delhi Daredevils, MI, Deccan Chargers, SRH, Punjab Kings |
| Key Records | Fastest Test century on debut (85 balls); Fastest Indian to 1,000–3,000 ODI runs; Highest List A score by Indian (248); First century in 100th ODI |
| Major Achievements | Player of the Tournament (ICC Champions Trophy 2013); Arjuna Award (2021); Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2014); Back-to-back centuries in IPL (2020) |
| Notable Performances | 363 runs in 2013 Champions Trophy; 689 T20I runs in 2018; Century before lunch on Test Day 1 (vs Afghanistan, 2018) |
| Personal Life | Married Aesha Mukerji (2012), Son: Zoravar (2014), Adopted Aesha's two daughters, Divorced (2021) |
| Challenges | Injuries (e.g., thumb fracture 2019 WC); Young players’ competition; Post-divorce controversies |
| Retirement | Announced Aug 24, 2024; Last match: IPL 2024 for Punjab Kings; Played in Nepal Premier League (Dec 2024) |
| Hobbies | Riding bikes, tattoos, table tennis, reading |
| Post-Retirement | Likely mentoring/coaching; Enjoys time with son Zoravar |
| Legacy | “Mr. ICC” for big tournaments; Kabaddi thigh-slap celebration; Loved for smile, positive attitude |
Domestic Cricket
Shikhar’s journey continued in domestic cricket. In 2004, he played in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh. He was the star of the tournament. He scored 505 runs in seven matches. This included three centuries. He was named Player of the Tournament. This was a big moment for young Shikhar. It showed he could shine on the big stage. Back home, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi in 2004-05. He scored 461 runs in six games. He was Delhi’s top run-scorer that season.
Shikhar kept working hard. He played in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and other domestic tournaments. His batting was aggressive yet smart. He loved to hit cover drives. His style reminded people of Delhi’s other great batsmen, like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. But Shikhar had to wait for his chance in the Indian team. There was tough competition. Players like Sehwag and Gambhir were already stars. Shikhar stayed patient. He kept scoring runs in domestic cricket.
International Debut And Struggles
Shikhar got his first chance to play for India in October 2010. He played an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam. Sadly, he got out for zero on just two balls. It was a tough start. He played a few more ODIs but struggled to score big. People doubted if he could succeed at the international level. But Shikhar did not give up. He went back to domestic cricket and worked on his game. His hard work paid off in 2013. He was called up for the Indian Test team against Australia.
Test Debut
March 14, 2013, was a special day for Shikhar. He made his Test debut in Mohali against Australia. The great Sachin Tendulkar gave him his Test cap. Sachin told him to show his “guts.” Shikhar did exactly that. He scored 187 runs off 174 balls. This included the fastest century by any batsman on Test debut, in just 85 balls. It was a record-breaking performance. Fans were amazed. Shikhar had arrived on the international stage. This innings showed his fearless style and talent.
Shining In ODIs
Shikhar became a star in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He was at his best in big tournaments. In the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, he was the top run-scorer. He scored 363 runs in five matches, including two centuries. India won the tournament under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Shikhar was named Player of the Tournament. He earned the nickname “Mr. ICC” for his love for big events. He was also India’s highest scorer in the 2015 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy. In 167 ODIs, he scored 6,793 runs at an average of 44.11. He made 17 centuries and 39 fifties. His highest score was 143.
Shikhar’s ODI record is special. He is one of only eight batsmen in the world to score over 5,000 ODI runs with an average above 40 and a strike rate above 90. His partnerships with Rohit Sharma were famous. They formed one of India’s best opening pairs. Shikhar’s aggressive batting set the tone for India’s innings. His cover drives and lofted shots were a treat to watch.
T20s And IPL Success
Shikhar also played 68 T20 Internationals for India. He scored 1,759 runs at a strike rate of 126.36. His best year was 2018, when he scored 689 runs in T20Is, the most by any batsman in a single year. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shikhar was a star. He played for teams like Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. He scored 6,769 runs in 222 IPL matches. His average was 35.26. He made two centuries and 51 fifties. In 2020, he became the first player to score back-to-back centuries in the IPL.
Shikhar captained Punjab Kings in 2023 and 2024. He led with a smile and inspired young players. His highest IPL score was 106 not out. He also became the second player after Virat Kohli to score 6,000 runs in the IPL. His partnership with David Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad was legendary. They were the first opening pair to score over 2,000 runs together in the IPL.
Records And Achievements
Shikhar’s career is full of records. He holds the record for the fastest century on Test debut. He is the fastest Indian to reach 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 ODI runs. He has the highest batting average (65.15) among batsmen with at least 1,000 runs in ICC tournaments. In 2013, he scored the second-highest individual score in a List A match, 248 runs off 150 balls for India A against South Africa A. He was the first Indian to score a century in his 100th ODI. In 2018, he became the first Indian to score a century before lunch on the first day of a Test match, against Afghanistan.
Shikhar won many awards. He received the Arjuna Award in 2021 for his contribution to Indian cricket. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2014. His performances in ICC tournaments made him a fan favorite. He always played with a smile, even in tough times.
Personal Life And Challenges
Shikhar’s personal life had ups and downs. He married Aesha Mukerji in 2012. They had a son, Zoravar, in 2014. Shikhar also adopted Aesha’s two daughters from her previous marriage. But in 2021, Shikhar and Aesha divorced. This was a tough time for him. There were also controversies when his ex-wife filed defamation allegations against him. Shikhar stayed strong and focused on cricket.
He faced challenges in his career too. Injuries troubled him, like a thumb fracture during the 2019 World Cup. Younger players like Shubman Gill started taking his place in the Indian team. Shikhar’s form dipped at times, but he always fought back. His positive attitude kept him going.
Retirement And Legacy
In 2024, Shikhar played his last competitive match for Punjab Kings in the IPL. He also played for Karnali Yaks in the Nepal Premier League, scoring his first fifty there in December 2024. But on August 24, 2024, he announced his retirement from all cricket. In a video on social media, he thanked his fans, family, coaches, and the BCCI. He said playing for India was his biggest dream. He was not sad to retire but happy to have played for his country.
Shikhar Dhawan’s legacy is huge. He played 269 international matches and scored 10,867 runs. His 24 centuries and 55 fifties show his consistency. He was a team player who lifted others with his energy. His “kabaddi thigh slap” celebration after taking catches became iconic. Fans loved his mustache and his nickname, Gabbar, inspired by the movie *Sholay*.
Life After Cricket
Shikhar is only 40 in 2025, and his journey is far from over. He loves bikes, tattoos, and playing table tennis. He enjoys reading and spending time with his son. There are rumors about his personal life, with fans linking him to Sophie Shine, but Shikhar keeps his private life quiet. He may continue to mentor young cricketers or take up new roles in cricket. His fans hope to see him in the IPL or as a coach.
Conclusion
Shikhar Dhawan’s story is one of grit and glory. From a young boy in Delhi to a cricketing hero, he won hearts with his bat and his smile. His records in ICC tournaments and the IPL are unmatched. He faced challenges but never lost his spirit. As Gabbar retires, his legacy lives on. He showed that dreams come true with hard work and belief. Thank you, Shikhar, for the memories!