Shikhar Dhawan (born 5 December 1985) is a former Indian cricketer, a left-handed opening batter known for his attacking strokes, his twirled moustache and his thigh-slapping celebration. Nicknamed “Gabbar”, he had an outstanding record in ICC tournaments and was Player of the Tournament when India won the 2013 Champions Trophy. He scored 6,793 runs in ODIs with 17 centuries and retired from all cricket in August 2024.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Shikhar Dhawan |
| Born | 5 December 1985, Delhi, India |
| Age | 40 |
| Role | Opening batter (left-handed) |
| International career | 2010–2022 |
| ODI record | 6,793 runs in 167 matches, 17 centuries |
| Test record | 2,315 runs in 34 matches, 7 centuries |
| Domestic team | Delhi |
| IPL teams | Delhi, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings |
| Children | 1 (Zoravar) |
| Honour | Arjuna Award (2021) |
Early Life
Dhawan was born into a Punjabi family in Delhi and went to St. Mark’s Senior Secondary Public School. From the age of 12 he trained at the Sonnet Club under the coach Tarak Sinha, starting as a wicketkeeper. At the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh he scored 505 runs with three centuries, still the record for a single edition of the tournament.
Career
Despite his junior success, Dhawan spent years in domestic cricket for Delhi. He made his ODI debut in 2010 without success. His chance in Tests came against Australia at Mohali in March 2013, when he scored 187 off 174 balls, reaching his hundred in 85 balls, the fastest century by a batter on Test debut.
Three months later he was Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, scoring two hundreds as India won the title. He was India’s leading run-scorer at the 2015 World Cup and the top scorer of the 2017 Champions Trophy. With Rohit Sharma he formed one of the most successful opening pairs in ODI history, and with Virat Kohli at number three they gave India a formidable top order. He scored a hundred against Australia at the 2019 World Cup with a fractured thumb, an injury that ended his tournament.
Dhawan captained India in several ODI series when the main players were rested and played his last international in December 2022. In the IPL he scored more than 6,700 runs, among the most by any batter, and captained Punjab Kings. He announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on 24 August 2024.
Personal Life
Dhawan married Aesha Mukerji, a Melbourne-based former kickboxer, in 2012; they have a son, Zoravar. A Delhi court granted him a divorce in October 2023. He published a memoir, The One, in 2025.
Awards and Honours
Major Titles
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Shikhar Dhawan born?
Shikhar Dhawan was born on 5 December 1985 in Delhi, India and is 40 years old.
What is Shikhar Dhawan’s role?
Role: Opening batter (left-handed).
Featured image: Shikhar Dhawan receives the Arjuna Award from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, 13 November 2021. Photo by President’s Secretariat, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.
