Shikhar Dhawan, a top ODI opener, turned 37 on Monday (December 5). Senior Indian batter in Bangladesh for three-match ODI series.
Dhawan, a left-hander who can play spin and pace, has been a key player for India for years. Dhawan has played red-ball cricket, but he’s now a 50-over specialist.
He’s played 34 Tests, 165 ODIs, and 68 T20s for India. Shikhar Dhawan averages 40.01 in Tests and 44.62 in ODIs. In T20Is, he’s scored 1759 runs at a strike rate of 127.
Dhawan, a social media star, has always brought his A-game to ICC tournaments. Dhawan was India’s top run-scorer in the 2013, 2015, and 2017 Champions Trophies. The Delhi-based player won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
On Shikhar Dhawan’s 37th birthday, we remember his three best ODI knocks.
#1 114 off 94 against South Africa in Cardiff’s 2013 Champions Trophy
Shikhar Dhawan’s innings against South Africa showed his ODI potential.
India and South Africa opened the 2013 Champions Trophy in Cardiff with Dhawan and Rohit Sharma putting up a match-winning 331 runs.
Rohit was cautious early in his bat, but Dhawan quickly asserted himself. Despite losing his partner in the 22nd over, the Delhi boy reached his first ODI hundred. Dhawan batted until the 37th over before being dismissed by Jean-Paul Duminy.
Shikhar Dhawan’s quick-fire century helped India win by 26 runs.
#2 117 off 109 against Australia in London’s 2019 World Cup
Shikhar Dhawan smashed Australian bowlers in India’s second 50-over World Cup encounter in London.
The southpaw hit a 109-ball 117 despite a damaged thumb. Along with Rohit, they scored 127 runs in 134 balls to help India register 352/5 after winning the toss and batting first.
Dhawan didn’t hit a maximum but struck 16 boundaries. Dhawan reached four ODI hundreds in England on his 94th ball.
Australia finished 36 runs short chasing 353 as Dhawan was named Player of the Match.
#3 137 off 146 against South Africa in Melbourne’s 2015 World Cup
India, the 2011 World Cup champions, thrashed Pakistan in their opening group encounter. Melbourne batted first against a formidable South African bowling attack and scored 307 runs in 50 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan’s 137-off-146-ball innings made the total attainable. Rohit was run out in the third over after a miscommunication with Dhawan. The left-hander had to mould the Indian innings as Kohli struggled to find his flow.
Dhawan took on the Proteas with a stunning shot. He batted until the 43rd over and easily handled South African bowlers. 16 boundaries and two sixes. Dhawan’s batting helped India reach 307.
Indian bowlers smashed South Africa for 177 and won easily.
