Shikhar Dhawan, born on December 5, 1985, in Delhi, India, is a prominent Indian cricketer known for his skills as a left-handed opening batsman. He has had a successful career in various formats of the game and has achieved several milestones.
Cricket Career Highlights:
- Dhawan is the captain of the Punjab Kings team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and represents Delhi in first-class cricket.
- He was the leading run-scorer for India in the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2015 World Cup, and the 2017 Champions Trophy.
- Dhawan became the first player in IPL history to score two consecutive centuries.
- He was awarded the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, which India won.
- In the 2018 Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious, Dhawan was named the Player of the Tournament for being the top scorer.
Debuts and Notable Performances:
- Dhawan made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Australia in October 2010.
- His Test debut was against Australia in March 2013, where he scored the fastest century by a debutant in Test cricket, with 187 runs from 174 balls.
- In August 2013, he scored 248 runs off 150 balls for India A against South Africa A in a List A match.
- During the 4th ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg, Dhawan became the first Indian and the ninth player overall to score a century in his 100th ODI.
- On June 14, 2018, against Afghanistan, he became the sixth batsman and the first Indian to score a century before lunch on the first day of a Test match.
Early Life and Training:
- Shikhar Dhawan was born to Sunaina and Mahendra Pal Dhawan in a Punjabi Hindu family.
- He completed his schooling at St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School in Meera Bagh, Delhi.
- Dhawan started training at Sonnet Club under coach Tarak Sinha from the age of 12. Tarak Sinha has coached several international cricketers.
- Interestingly, Dhawan initially played as a wicket-keeper when he joined the club.
In summary, Shikhar Dhawan is a prominent Indian cricketer known for his prolific batting performances across formats. He has achieved remarkable milestones, including being the leading run-scorer in several high-profile tournaments and becoming the first player to achieve certain records in the IPL and international cricket. His journey from an early start at Sonnet Club to becoming a vital part of the Indian cricket team reflects his dedication and talent in the sport.