Shikhar Dhawan’s career was a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs that tested his resolve. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the team saw many changes, and Dhawan was not immune to its effects. He was dropped from the team multiple times due to poor performance. In a recent interview with Ranveer Allahabadia, Dhawan opened up about his toughest phase in 2016.
Dhawan recalled the Champions Trophy in 2017, where he made a strong comeback. However, his joy was short-lived, as he was dropped again in 2018. He remembered the Kolkata Test against New Zealand, where he played despite being injured. Dhawan said he was under immense pressure to perform, knowing that a failure to deliver would mean being axed from the team.
The 2016 period was particularly tough for Dhawan. He was on a hot streak, but he knew that one bad game could spell disaster. Dhawan recounted how he got out in the first innings and broke his hand in the second innings while facing Trent Boult. Despite the injury, Dhawan chose to play on, knowing that not doing so would mean being dropped. He joked that since his career was already on the line, he might as well go all out.
Those days are behind Dhawan now. He has retired from all forms of cricket, bringing an end to a 12-year international career. Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, scoring 2315, 6793, and 1759 runs respectively. His legacy as one of India’s most explosive openers remains unchanged, a testament to his resilience and determination.