Happy Birthday Shikhar Dhawan – Top 5 Knocks Of India’s ‘Gabbar’

Dec 5, 2016 at 11:53 AM

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Happy Birthday Shikhar Dhawan – Top 5 Knocks Of India’s ‘Gabbar’

India’s major ODI success can be credited mainly to the efforts of their magnificent batsmen, who have been instrumental behind India’s restructuring as a limited-overs powerhouse. In recent years, one individual who deserves a lot of credit for India’s great run in ODIs is Shikhar Dhawan. The Delhi opener often doesn’t get the credit he deserves, as all the limelight remains on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two flamboyant boys of the setup.

Along with the right-handed duo, Dhawan too has been a genuine match winner for the Men in Blue in the last few years. As a matter of fact, Dhawan’s proficiency to score and score big can be judged by the fact he is the fastest Indian to get to 1000 and 3000 career ODI runs. Today, as he turns a year older, we look back at his top 5 knocks in India colors:

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  1. 187 vs Australia – Mohali, 2013:

Arguably among the greatest Test knocks of all time by a debutant, Dhawan burst onto the Test arena in some style as he crushed the Australian bowlers at Mohali in the third Test of the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After the entire first day was washed out due to rain, the only hope for India to go 3-0 up in the series was to have a sensational batting effort. Dhawan provided just that, as on his test debut, came out all guns blazing against a bowling attack comprising of Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon. His cover drives during that knock were a treat to the eyes, as he recorded the fastest ton by a batsman on Test debut. Thanks to his 187, India could bat freely and take a substantial lead, which turned out to be match-winning. The sheer audacity and impact of this knock, makes it our favorite innings from Dhawan.

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 10: Shikhar Dhawan of India celebrates scoring a century as Kevin O'Brien of Ireland looks on during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Ireland and India at Seddon Park on March 10, 2015 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

  1. 137 vs South Africa – Melbourne, 2015:

Going into the 2015 World Cup, Dhawan was under tremendous pressure, as calls to axe him after a dismal Test and Tri-Series in Australia were doing the rounds. The stylish batsman though, made his critics eat the humble pie, as he began with a half-century against Pakistan. He followed that up with a match winning century against South Africa at Melbourne; where close to 91,000 spectators witnessed his heroics. India had never won against South Africa in World Cups, and this was changed mainly due to the Delhi dasher’s knock, as he scored 137 off 146 deliveries. India eventually won the game by 130 runs, but the innings from Shikhar was more significant than that. Against a top notch bowling attack, the ease with which he scored ensured that his career was simply given a new lease of life.

dhawan-fifty-test-match

  1. 115 vs New Zealand– Auckland, 2014:

Very few openers can score a free flowing century in the fourth innings of a Test, in pursuit of a target in excess of 400. Dhawan did just that, as he went about chasing 407 in elegance as he led India’s assault. On a deck not so easy for batting, Dhawan was quite controlled and measured in his approach as he didn’t oblige to anything pitched near the fourth stump mark. Undoubtedly, his most patient knock ever, Dhawan was determined to get India close to the target. When he was at the crease, it seemed India would easily chase down the target but once he was dismissed thanks to a beauty from Neil Wagner, the Indians lost their way and ended up losing by 40 runs. Fair to say, the umpiring in the Test remained dismal.

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  1. 114 vs South Africa – Cardiff, 2013:

Dhawan’s love affair with South Africa in ICC tournaments commenced with this knock, in the opening game of the 2013 Champions Trophy. Making his comeback to the ODI team after two years, Dhawan carried on from where he left at Mohali against Australia a few months ago. His strokes were pleasing as he dominated the Proteas bowlers right from the offset. In this game, it was the first time India tried Dhawan and Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, and till date, that remains a masterstroke of a decision. His 94-ball knock of 114 included 12 boundaries and a maximum as he laid the foundation for India’s score of 331. MS Dhoni’s men were unbeaten in this tournament as they went on to win the Champions Trophy and Dhawan was the architect of the tournament victory as he was named the Man of the Series.

Innings against Proteas a learning curve: Dhawan

  1. 60 vs Bangladesh – Mirpur, 2016:

This innings is special since it depicts Dhawan’s heroics in T20Is and in the final of a high pressure tournament in Bangladesh. Rain had an impact on the game early on, as it was reduced to a 15-over affair and this could have been Bangladesh’s best chance to win the Asia Cup. After posting 120 on board, the hosts were right in the game after Rohit Sharma was dismissed early. Dhawan however, was in no mood to relent, as he was extremely steady and measured in his approach. He took the odd risk and along with Virat Kohli, formed a fine partnership. Dhawan’s 60 off 44 was the foundation for India’s victory, as after his dismissal, skipper MS Dhoni finished things off in style. The southpaw was named the Man of the Match for his knock in the final.

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