How Shikhar Dhawan replaced Virender Sehwag to make Test debut
Shikhar Dhawan, one of India's most dashing openers, recently announced his retirement from professional cricket. His Test career began in 2013, when he replaced Virender Sehwag in the squad due after the latter was dropped due to inconsistency. Dhawan seized this opportunity and made an unforgettable debut against Australia in Mohali, scoring a 174-ball 187. He recorded the highest individual score by an Indian on Test debut.
Sandeep Patil reveals story behind Dhawan's Test debut
Sandeep Patil, the former chief selector of the Indian cricket team, shared insights into Dhawan's selection for his Test debut. In a conversation with mid-day, Patil opened up on the same. The former batter had to advocate for Dhawan's inclusion in the team due to his impressive form at that time. "Yes, I had to press for his inclusion and I am so glad he didn't let me down," Patil told mid-day.
Dhawan's journey post Test debut
Despite an injury during his debut match, Dhawan's success in Test cricket led to his return to One Day Internationals (ODIs). He formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, effectively addressing India's opening concerns. This partnership continued until 2022. However, Dhawan was not a regular fixture in T20 Internationals and Tests.
Dhawan's international career stats
Dhawan scored 2,315 runs in 34 Test matches at an average of 40.61, including seven centuries with a highest score of 190. According to ESPNcricinfo, in ODIs, Dhawan racked up an impressive 6,793 runs in 167 matches, with a strike rate of 91.35. He owns 17 tons and 39 fifties. Meanwhile, in T20Is, the left-handed batter has featured in 68 matches and has scored 1,759 runs with a strike of 126.36 including 11 fifties.
His IPL journey and accolades
Throughout his IPL career, Dhawan played 222 matches for various franchises, scoring 6,769 runs—the second-highest in the tournament's history, just behind Virat Kohli's 8,004 runs. He also holds the record for the most fours in IPL history, hitting 768 boundaries in 221 innings. Dhawan's stellar career is incomplete without mentioning his records in ICC tournaments. His dominance is evident as he was India's top run-scorer in three consecutive 50-over ICC tournaments, finishing two of them as the tournament's leading run-scorer.
