The Twilight of an Era: Shikhar Dhawan Reflects on His India Career’s End
For years, Shikhar Dhawan was an unwavering pillar at the top of India’s white-ball batting order, particularly in ODIs. Known for his aggressive yet elegant left-handed strokeplay and consistent performances in ICC tournaments, “Gabbar” seemed indispensable. Yet, even for a player of his caliber, the sands of time and the relentless rise of new talent eventually shift. Dhawan recently offered a remarkably candid glimpse into the moment he sensed his illustrious international journey was drawing to a close.
Ishan Kishan’s Record-Breaking Blitz: The Immediate Catalyst
The fateful match unfolded in Chattogram, Bangladesh, during the final ODI of a series India had already lost. With regular captain Rohit Sharma sidelined, the opening slot alongside Dhawan went to the explosive young wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan. While Dhawan departed for a mere three runs, Kishan unleashed an unprecedented assault, smashing a breathtaking 210 off just 131 balls, decorated with 24 fours and 10 towering sixes. This scintillating performance, a double century of immense power and precision, would, unbeknownst to many at the time, mark Dhawan’s final international appearance for India.
An Inner Voice Confirms the Inevitable
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Dhawan shared a profound realization with Hindustan Times, ahead of the launch of his highly anticipated autobiography, ‘The One’. Despite consistently scoring vital fifties and seventies – a testament to his continued form – the elusive century had evaded him. “When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me, alright boy, this can be the end of your career,” Dhawan revealed. “An inner voice came to me.” He recalled friends rushing to offer emotional support, expecting him to be disheartened. But in a display of his characteristic equanimity, Dhawan found himself “chilling, I was enjoying.” His acceptance, it seems, was immediate and deeply personal.
Shubman Gill’s Ascent: A Natural Progression
Beyond the immediate impact of Kishan’s heroics, another formidable talent was steadily establishing his dominance: Shubman Gill. As the 2023 ODI World Cup approached, Gill’s consistent performances across all formats – T20Is, Tests, and ODIs – made his inclusion increasingly undeniable. Dhawan, primarily an ODI specialist at that juncture, found himself in a challenging position.
“Shubman Gill was doing very well in T20s and Tests as well,” Dhawan explained. “Now I am not in the picture that much. I only come for ODIs. But the other player is doing so well and he is in front of the coaches more.” Dhawan candidly acknowledged the organic way Gill was “creating his own aura or own environment authentically, organically,” making his long-standing presence at the top difficult to sustain against such a rising tide.
The T20 World Cup Snub: Sensing the Shift
Dhawan’s T20 International career had already seen its own quiet denouement. He was noticeably overlooked for India’s squad ahead of the 2021 T20 World Cup, a decision he anticipated with remarkable clarity. “I knew that my name was not going to come (2021 T20 World Cup squad). I could sense that thing,” he affirmed. He later led a second-string Indian side in his final T20I series in Sri Lanka.
His acceptance of these career developments was notably pragmatic. “It’s not that you are going to be spoon-fed for everything,” he stated. “I didn’t ask anyone why my name didn’t come. Even if I had asked, they were going to have their own perspective on it and I am going to tell my own story. It doesn’t make any sense and doesn’t change anything.” This philosophical outlook underscores a player who understands the cyclical nature of elite sport, gracefully ceding the stage to the next generation.
