Shikhar Dhawan, once a mainstay in the Indian cricket team, has faced a decline in his career, particularly with the emergence of young talents like Shubman Gill. This decline began with his exclusion from the Test team in 2018, followed by his exclusion from the ODI and T20I squads five years later. Now approaching 38, it appears unlikely that Dhawan will don the national jersey again. Nevertheless, his contributions to Indian cricket over the years should not be overlooked.
One of his most notable performances took place during the 2015 World Cup match against South Africa, held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Prior to this encounter, India had never defeated South Africa in the 50-over World Cup, having suffered defeats in 1992, 1999, and 2011.
However, at the MCG, India secured a historic 130-run victory over South Africa, with Dhawan playing a pivotal role. Opting to bat first, Dhawan's impressive knock of 137 runs off 146 balls, including 16 fours and two sixes, laid the foundation for India's competitive total of 307 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs.
Following the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma, Dhawan and Virat Kohli steadied the Indian innings with a solid partnership of 127 runs for the second wicket. After Kohli's departure to Imran Tahir, Dhawan partnered with Ajinkya Rahane to build a substantial 125-run stand in 16.3 overs.
By the time Dhawan departed, India had already established a dominant position with the score at 261 for the loss of three wickets in 43.4 overs. The Indian team then bowled South Africa out for 177 in 40.2 overs, with Ravi Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and Mohit Sharma contributing crucial wickets.
Dhawan's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award. With 6793 runs from 167 ODIs, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties, Dhawan's legacy in Indian cricket remains noteworthy despite his age. However, his prospects for a national team comeback remain uncertain at this stage of his career.
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