Shikhar Dhawan debut in International Cricket

A young dynamo, Shikhar Dhawan is a free flowing stroke maker who always tends to dominate bowlers in any form of the game, but he had a debut which would have given him a lot of nightmares. He plays for India as an opener and in his short career so far has earned a big name and fame. He was an integral part of India’s Champions Trophy victory in 2013. He became the second highest run scorer in an innings in List A cricket when he scored 248 playing for India A against South Africa A in Pretoria. The left handed batsman has the potential to demolish any bowling attack, but could also be vulnerable, when he plays way too many shots. With his moustache he became the style icon as well and made it trendy.

Dhawan made it to the Delhi U-16 team in 1999/00, and within a year his immpressive show for his team earned him a place in the U-17 Asia Cup where he averaged 85 in three games. Subsequently he was picked up for the U-19 team but after only two games he was sent back to the U-16 team. Thereafter he was once again picked for the U-19 team in 2002 and with his performances he got a place for the North Zone U-19 team and in 2003 he was named captain of Delhi U-19.

He was the top scorer of the 2004 U-19 World Cup at an average of 84 and was named Man of the Tournament for his brilliant batting performances which included 3 centuries and a half century. After this he got a call for the senior Delhi side and ended up as the leading run getter for them in the Ranji season and did well in the Challenger series as well. He was constantly scoring runs at domestic level but was unable to break in to the Indian side which was packed with openers like Sehwag, Gambhir and of course Sachin.

Shikhar had a terrific first season with Delhi Daredevils in the first edition of the IPL and then he was traded to Mumbai Indians in exchange of Ashish Nehra. But he couldn’t replicate the same form for them..

Dhawan finally got a call for India for the ODI series against Australia in 2010, where India fielded a second string side in absence of Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir and Zaheer. Unfortunately this was a rain affected series where 2 of the ODIs were washed out, but even unfortunate was his debut on Oct. 20, 2010, where Dhawan got out for a duck in the very first over. Saurabh Tiwary also made his debut in the same game.

Thereafter Dhawan returned to domestic circuit, and had continued making runs except for the 2011/12 season. In spite of that, he was picked for the Indian squad for the series against the Windies after Sachin decided to rest himself for the series. But he couldn’t make use of his chances and he was out of contention till 2013.

Despite winning the first two Tests of the series against Australia in 2013, Sehwag’s poor form was a cause of concern, Dhawan was called to replaced his fellow Delhi mate. And this was the opportunity that he grabbed to revamp his international career by making a blisterring 187 on his Test debut. After this he had a fantastic IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad where he helped his team reach the semi-finals in their very first season.

His wonderful form fetched him a berth in the Indian side for the Champions Trophy and an average of 90 in the tournament cemented his spot in the Indian side.