Shikhar Dhawan retirement: Test ton on debut, 'Mr. ICC', and Arjuna Award - what are 'Gabbar's' top career highlights

Shikhar Dhawan performing his signature celebration after scoring a ton (Source: X)

Shikhar Dhawan, fondly remembered as "Gabbar" by cricket enthusiast, announced his retirement from the sport on Saturday. The left-handed batter shared an emotional video earlier in the morning, where he thanked everyone for their support in this incredible journey. In an illustrious career spanning for over a decade, Dhawan delivered his services to India in all three formats (34 Tests, 167 ODIs, 68 T20Is). He also had his share of fun in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represented five franchises, which included opening with Australian southpaw David Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad, and then leading the Punjab Kings. Dhawan, a product of New Delhi's Sonnet Club, had many memorable outings, and in this article we take a look at his top career highlights:

A knock to remember

Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring a ton on Test debut (BCCI)

Dhawan couldn't have asked for a better start to red ball cricket, getting his first Test cap against Australia in Mohali back in 2013. The left-handed batter then opened India's innings and went to smash a swashbuckling ton, which eventually culminated at 187 off 174 deliveries. The innings featured 33 boundaries and two maximums and a solid 289-run opening partnership with Murali Vijay, who too scored a ton in the same innings.

Most number of ODI centuries in 2013

This was not it as Dhawan enjoyed a sensational run in 2013, during which he scored five ODI tons. It started with a 94-ball 114 against South Africa at Cardiff on June 6, and five days later he notched another ton against West Indies (102 off 107 balls). The next month saw him smash 116 (127) against Zimbabwe in Harare and towards the end of the year, fans relished another scintillating show from "Gabbar". He scored 100(102) against Australia at Nagpur in October, and smashed a 105-ball 119 against West Indies the next month, which was also at home.

'Mr. ICC'

Shikhar Dhawan raises his bat after scoring a ton

While Dhawan always been a dangerous custodian irrespective of the occasion but his efforts particularly in the ICC tournaments adds more to this reputation. The left-handed batter played a pivotal role in helping India lift yet another ICC trophy in 2013. In the Champions Trophy played in England, Dhawan emerged as the highest run scorer after accumulating 363 runs from five innings, which included two centuries and one half-century.

If we switch focus to the ODI World Cup in 2015, Dhawan was not the highest run getter of the tournament but he did top the charts from the Indian camp. Dhawan had then accumulated 412 runs from eight outings, which featured two centuries as India progressed to the semifinals before being shown the exit doors by the eventual champions Australia in cricket's biggest showdown.

Two years later, Dhawan once again showcased his prowess in yet another ICC event (the ICC Champions Trophy 2017).  Although India endured a heavy 180-run defeat against Pakistan in the finals, Dhawan's bat kept roaring throughout the tournament. He accumulated 338 runs from five outings and finished as the leading run getter in the tournament.

Fans expected a similar show from the southpaw in the 2019 World Cup, which was played in England, and he did start the tournament on a promising note. Dhawan's outing, however, lasted for just two matches as an unfortunate thumb injury forced him out of the tournament. In the two matches he played, Dhawan managed to score a ton against Australia.

IPL - Another hunting ground

Shikhar Dhawan led Punjab Kings in the IPL (Image Source: IPL)

Dhawan's contributions have often been overshadowed by others but there is no denying he was as good as others when it came to the shorter format. If we specifically look into his IPL contributions, Dhawan is the second highest run scorer in the cash-rich T20 league. Dhawan amassed a total of 6769 runs from 222 appearances, which include two tons and 51 half-centuries. In addition Dhawan's holds the record of hitting the highest number of boundaries in the tournament, 768 in total, and also holds the distinction of being the first to slam consecutive tons in the league. Dhawan has lifted the IPL trophy with Sunrisers Hyderabad back in 2016, and has led Delhi and Punjab franchises at different stages of his career.

Awards and recognition

Shikhar Dhawan received the Arjuna Award for his contribution to Indian cricket (PTI)

Dhawan was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2021 for his remarkable service to Indian cricket. He was also among the five cricketers to be named "Cricketers of the Year" by Wisden back in 2014.