Shikhar Dhawan, the veteran Indian opener, has faced numerous ups and downs in his career, handling them with grace and experience. Despite a successful run in ODIs, including leading the team in several series, Dhawan found himself out of favor, particularly after the emergence of younger players like Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan.
Ishan Kishan's record-breaking double century against Bangladesh on December 10, 2022, became a significant turning point. Kishan's explosive innings of 210 runs off 131 balls, which included 24 fours and 10 sixes, not only helped India post a massive total but also sparked a debate about the opening options for the team. At 24, Kishan became the youngest and fastest to score an ODI double ton. He broke Chris Gayle's record for the fastest ODI double century, reaching the milestone in just 126 balls. He also became the fourth Indian to achieve this feat, joining Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Rohit Sharma.
Dhawan, reflecting on this period, acknowledged the impact of Kishan's innings. According to a recent interview, Dhawan admitted that he knew his career was in jeopardy the moment Kishan scored his double century. He recognized that such a performance would naturally lead to changes in the team composition.
Dhawan's form in the series against Bangladesh leading up to Kishan's innings had been below par. In his last 10 ODIs, he had a string of low scores, and in the three-match series against Bangladesh, he registered three single-digit scores. In 2022, he amassed 688 runs in 22 innings at an average of 34.40, including six half-centuries. While these numbers aren't terrible, they weren't enough to hold his place in the face of fierce competition from younger, more aggressive players.
Following his exclusion from the team, Dhawan revealed that he "didn't bother to call anyone". Instead, he focused on his game and continued practicing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He expressed surprise at not being selected for the Asian Games but maintained a positive outlook. Dhawan's reaction showcases his acceptance of the situation and his commitment to maintaining his process.
Dinesh Karthik voiced that Kishan's double ton put Dhawan's career in limbo. Karthik noted that with Rohit Sharma's return and Shubman Gill's consistent performance, Dhawan would likely have to sit out, potentially marking a "sad end to a glorious career".
Dhawan, who last played a Test match in 2018 and a T20I in 2021, has accepted his role primarily as an ODI player. While he admitted feeling hurt after being dropped from the Test side in the past, he has learned to cope with the ups and downs of his career. He remains focused on his preparation for the IPL, where he leads Punjab Kings.
Despite the setbacks, Dhawan takes pride in his achievements and remains content with his contributions to Indian cricket. He acknowledges the possibility of a comeback but is equally prepared to accept if it doesn't happen.
