From 'Gabbar' to greatness! Reflecting on his white-ball cricket ascent

Following the announcement of Shikhar Dhawanrsquos retirement from both international and domestic cricket fans and the cricketing community are reflecting on the extraordinary journey of the lefthanded opener whose career began in Delhi and left an indelible mark on the global stageDhawanrsquos decision to retire shared through a heartfelt post on social media left Indian cricket enthusiasts in stunned silence Over a career spanning more than 14 years Dhawanrsquos composure both on and off the field distinguished him from his peers and became a hallmark of his legacyAs I close this chapter of my cricketing journey I carry with me countless memories and gratitude Thank you for the love and support Jai Hind pictwittercomQKxRH55Lgxmdash Shikhar Dhawan SDhawan25 August 24 2024Shikhar Dhawan retiresTracing the journey of Gabbar to modernday whiteball greatnessPopularly known as Gabbar Dhawan was renowned for his dynamic batting and his signature thigh celebration which became a familiar sight in international matches and the Indian Premier League His journey in cricket began on a modest note stepping onto the field for the Indian team at Visakhapatnam in October 2010 against Australia His debut however was not as he had hoped he was dismissed for a duck falling victim to Clint McKayrsquos delivery that slipped through the gap between his bat and pad The silence of the Visakhapatnam crowd marked the beginning of a career that would soon make a resounding impact on the world stageDhawans rise to prominence was gradual It wasnrsquot until 2013 that he first connected with fans through his iconic celebration Facing Australia again but this time in Mohali and Test cricket Dhawanrsquos exhilarating 187run innings captivated the crowd and left a lasting impression This performance solidified his reputation as a formidable batsman and a worthy successor to Sourav GangulyAs his career progressed it became increasingly clear that Dhawan was destined to make a significant impact in limitedovers cricket Across 167 ODI matches Dhawan amassed 6793 runs at an average of 441 featuring 17 centuries and 39 halfcenturies His aggressive style and consistent performances made him a key player for India in the 50over formatAlso ReadShikhar Dhawan retires Will he be available to play in IPL next yearIn T20 Internationals Dhawan played 68 matches accumulating 1759 runs at an average of 279 including 11 fifties His presence in the shorter format was marked by explosive innings and key contributions further establishing his reputation as a versatile and dynamic playerThroughout his career Dhawan occasionally captained the Indian team in whiteball formats when the regular captain was unavailable His leadership though sporadic added another dimension to his role in the teamDhawanrsquos career was not without its challenges In 2014 he faced a period of struggle finding himself lower in the pecking order and working hard to regain his position Despite these setbacks Dhawan achieved several significant milestones including becoming the fastest player to reach 6000 ODI runs accomplishing this feat in just 141 matches He also joined the elite group of players who have scored over 5000 runs and completed 50 dismissals in ODIsAlso ReadThrowback to the times when Shikhar Dhawan and wife Aesha redefined couple goalsHis contributions were recognized with prestigious accolades Dhawan was named Player of the Tournament in the U19 World Cup in 2004 the Champions Trophy in 2013 and the Asia Cup in 2018 These awards highlighted his exceptional performances and underscored his role as a key player in Indiarsquos cricketing successesAs Shikhar Dhawan retires his remarkable career stands as a testament to his skill resilience and the lasting impact he has made in the world of cricket His legacy will be remembered for his explosive batting significant milestones and the memorable moments he created throughout his illustrious careerWith agency inputs