Shikhar Dhawan stands out as one of India’s most fashionable and reliable opening batsmen and is appreciated for his positive attitude and aggressive nature when batting. He was born in Delhi on December 5, 1985. Dhawan began playing cricket at an early age and quickly transitioned from playing junior cricket to representing Delhi in the domestic cricket tournament, known as the Ranji Trophy. In 2013, Dhawan scored a record-breaking century on his Test debut vs. Australia to become an immediate star in the cricketing world.
In limited-overs cricket, Shikhar Dhawan has typically been the opening batsman for India. He has formed a successful opening batting partnership with Rohit Sharma, and in addition, he displayed an unconventional opener’s mentality when batting – often going after the bowling, playing elegant cover drives, and scoring runs quickly.
He has played vital roles in a number of key tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 where he was the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Outside of international cricket, Dhawan is regarded as one of the best performers in the IPL, where he has captained several teams and played key innings.
Beyond his performances on the pitch, Dhawan is valued for his competitive spirit, sportsmanship, commitment to fitness, and positive message. In terms of his journey, he demonstrates his determination and effort, while at the same time being motivated and passionate about the game.
Known as the “Gabbar” of Indian cricket, Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most flamboyant and captivating opening batters of our time. Dhawan has made a lasting impression on Indian cricket with his daring stroke play, contagious smile, and trademark moustache-twirling celebration.
Shikhar Dhawan has consistently performed well on the big stage, whether it is through his scorching hundreds in ICC events or his reliable IPL performances. He is one of the most respected cricket players in the world off the pitch because of his discipline, optimism, and passion. This blog examines his life story, professional background, accomplishments, and lesser-known details.
Biography of Shikhar Dhawan
- Real Name: Shikhar Dhawan
- Full Name: Shikhar Dhawan
- Nickname: Gabbar
- Profession: Professional Cricketer (Batsman)
- Famous For: Explosive opening batting in limited-overs cricket
- Best Performance: 187 on Test debut against Australia in 2013
- Salary: Approx. INR 6.25 crore (IPL contract 2024)
- Monthly Income: Estimated INR 50-70 lakhs from cricket and endorsements
- Website URL: Not official
- Instagram Handle: @shikhardofficial
Physical Status
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
- Weight: 80 kg (approx.)
- Body Measurements: Chest 42 inches, Waist 32 inches, Biceps 14 inches
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Personal Life
- Date of Birth: December 5, 1985
- Place Of Birth: Delhi, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Hometown: Delhi, India
- School: St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School, Delhi
- College: N/A
- Highest Education Qualification: Higher Secondary
Family Statistics
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Wife: Aesha Mukherjee (separated in 2021)
- Children: Son – Zoravar Dhawan; Step-daughters – Rhea and Aliyah
- Parents: Father – Mahendra Pal Dhawan, Mother – Sunaina Dhawan
- Siblings: Sister – Shreshta Dhawan
- Religion: Hinduism
- Other Hobbies: Singing, Fitness, Dancing, Social Work
Early Life of Shikhar Dhawan:
Born into a Punjabi family in Delhi, India, on December 5, 1985, Shikhar Dhawan was encouraged by his mother, Sunaina Dhawan, and father, Mahendra Pal Dhawan, from his early childhood to love cricket above all else. Street cricket and going pro, which Dhawan did after becoming a coach himself, sparked his passion for cricket in childhood, while he stood out among his contemporaries.
Owing to his aggressive and natural talent, Dhawan has entered the record books throughout his international career while maintaining his nickname Gabbar, acquired during domestic tournaments due to his vivaciousness. Shikhar’s hard work and passion for cricket carved a solid foundation as a player, despite losing early.
Education of Shikhar Dhawan:
Dhawan had to balance his studies and a developing love for cricket while pursuing his studies at St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School, New Delhi. His family recognized his talent and enrolled him under coach Tarak Sinha at the Sonnet Cricket Academy, where he received top-notch training.
Primarily, he focused on his cricket skills, which limited his learning to books. Although he may not have pursued further education like some of his peers, he was well-versed in cricket. This development also included technical aspects and a challenging environment, which made him mentally tough for facing domestic and international cricket.
Cricket Journey of Shikhar Dhawan
The starting point for Dhawan’s cricket was quite impressive, with age-group performances at the competitive level in the lower circuit. He came into prominence in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, where he scored 505 runs, becoming one of the highest run-getters of the tournament. This performance brought him to the notice of the selectors.
He then began playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, embodying similar characteristics as an aggressive batsman, and slowly became a regular in domestic cricket. The slow rise of Dhawan was assured by merit and his big run-making ability; his wait was long but fruitful, culminating in his long-awaited international debut. Dhawan was of vital importance for India, as he was a savage destroyer of bowlers at the top order when given the chance.
Journey in the IPL and Domestic
He gained his initial experience from domestic cricket in Delhi, and then he blossomed in Indian cricket due to determined campaigns in the Ranji Trophy. One of the reliable openers in IPL has been Dhawan. This means Dhawan has played for various teams, such as the Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Daredevils.
He probably had the best times with Sunrisers Hyderabad, with whom he won the IPL in 2016 and with whom he initiated several good opening partnerships. Dhawan has scored over 6500 runs in the IPL so far, earning him a reputation as one of the all-time top scorers with his smooth and consistent stroke play.
International Career of Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan first captured the entire international audience during his Test debut against Australia in 2013, as his monumental accomplishment was to be the first person to reach the hundred mark in just 85 balls. He was a significant figure in openers for ODIs, notably the highest run getter in ICC competitions, including the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2017.
Influently, India had gained an advantage with early submissions from Dhawan in limited-overs formats. Dhawan was, however, as reliable as it came in T20Is with a consistent approach towards rapid runs at the top. Between formats, Dhawan showed that he was among India’s foremost openers in this modern day, if we subtract the fact that he played significantly fewer Tests.
Injuries and Comebacks of Shikhar Dhawan:
Despite the number of injuries sustained by Dhawan during his career, his consistent comebacks have shown that he has perseverance. One of the greatest defeats during one of these instances happened in 2019 at the ICC World Cup when he was thrown out of the tournament after his thumb was broken, following a match-winning century against Australia.
Besides those, he has had a knee injury, a hand injury, and a shoulder injury, and he always comes back stronger. He should be proud of having kept himself fit and learned to adapt to a changing playing environment. Each comeback only strengthened his resolve and showed that there was nothing permanent in the path of his steadfast march toward becoming a world-class cricket player.
Personal Life of Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan, who has been a faithful persona with true father’s stripes and charming personality traits outside cricket, has a son, Zoravar, with his wife, Ayesha Mukherjee, in 2012. Now, this lady became an Australian ex-kickboxing champion after marrying him. Ayesha’s daughters from her first marriage also have a very good bond with Dhawan.
Though they parted ways in 2021, he was quite a loving father, often posting pictures of himself with his son on social media. Outside the dig, he is full of humor, humility, and buoyancy. He can charm people with his fun-filled love for dancing, music, and staying healthy, which adds more life to his interactions.
Career Statistics of Shikhar Dhawan:
Test Debut :
And with the result 187 runs in 174 deliveries by the end of his innings, Shikhar Dhawan became the fastest-ever rookie to score his maiden Test century in Mohali against Australia on March 14, 2013. His innings dazzled by the way he put on stylish drives and courageous strokes to read his grand sound. His aggression certainly was a gloss for India’s Test team as he made his Test career not as long as that in ODI. He scored over 2300 runs in 34 Tests, five fifties, and seven centuries.
ODI Debut:
Dubai’s ODI debut was against Australia on October 20, 2010, in Visakhapatnam. Although the match started quite slowly, it gathered momentum to become one of India’s most crucial fixtures in ODIs. Had he not played innings worth remembering in the ICC Champions Trophy of 2013 with 363 runs, the highest tally in the tournament, his name might neither have struck nor entered Indian victory in this space. One of the oldest openers of India, Dhawan, scored over 6000 runs in ODIs with 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries. He specialized in forming fruitful partnerships with quick scoring.
T20 Debut:
Dhawan played his first T20I match against the West Indies in Port of Spain on June 4, 2011. He had early introduction problems in the T20 format, but now he is one of India’s most reliable T20I openers because of improved technique. Strong beginnings were often provided by India, thanks to Dhawan leading recklessly. He accumulated close to 1700 runs in his T20I career, which spanned 11 fifties. Before new entrants took command, he was known to be a crucial part of the T20 team of India, blending aggression and finesse.
IPL Debut:
Dhawan made his IPL debut with the Delhi Daredevils in 2008, and in his debut season, he made quite an impression with a half-century. Even today, Dhawan is among the players who have excelled for various franchises. Sunrisers Hyderabad can be called his ever-best because they lifted the trophy in 2016. He accounts for over 65000 runs and hence has made the mark of being one of the all-time greatest run scorers. He is synonymous with reliability, his elegant stroke play, and his performances under pressure.
Achievements of Shikhar Dhawan:
- Fastest Century on Test Debut: He also set this record by making a score in his debut, the highest for a rookie in 2013, when he scored 187 runs from 143 balls against Australia
- He was the highest scorer in both the 2013 and 2017 ICC Champions Trophy editions, which again proved his ability to perform on the international stage.
- The Communal Reliance ICC Performer: He is India’s big-match player and one among the few players to score a hundred consecutively at ICC tournaments.
- IPL Run Machine: He fills in the top five all-time IPL run scorers with more than 6,500 runs.
- National Recognition: Received the Arjuna Award in 2021 for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.
- ODI Mountain: He scored 17 ODI hundreds along with several match-winning fifties, leading India’s batting cart for ten years.
- All-Format Contributor: all-important knocks across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is for showing versatility across different formats.
Here are Some of the Lesser and Unknown Things About Shikhar Dhawan:
- The highest run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup 2004 is none other than Shikhar Dhawan.
- His trick during domestic cricket amused everyone as he mimicked a Bollywood villain, earning a “Gabbar” tag.
- He is trained in classical dance and is a good bhangra dancer.
- Dhawan’s passion for tattoos has manifested itself in his many body paintings that preach his personal beliefs.
- Off the pitch, Dhawan is renowned for his cool and funny demeanour despite being an aggressive batsman.
- He was earlier the fastest to reach 1000 runs in ICC events.
This transformation from the streets of Delhi to become ‘Gabbar’ for India is a beautiful story of talent, resilience, and cricket that is part of passionate love. His flamboyant batting style, consistency of performance in ICC tournaments, and impact in the IPL have created an immortal legacy. Injuries and mishaps notwithstanding, Dhawan’s ability to stage comebacks stands as testimony to how much of a fighter he is.
Beyond cricket, his charm and optimism resonate with millions. What a great chapter it would become in an integral chapter of Indian cricket history for one of the most stylish and dependable openers in India.
Also read: Cheteshwar Pujara: Profile, Biography, Age, Records 2025
