Shikhar Dhawan, fondly called the “Gabbar” of Indian cricket, is one of India’s most consistent left-handed opening batsmen of all time. With his distinctive moustache and fearless strokes, Dhawan has carved a niche for himself in every format of the game. Born on December 5, 1985, in Delhi, Dhawan’s cricketing journey is a story of perseverance, confidence, and innovation. Over the years, he has been a vital cog in the Indian batting line-up at the top of the order and is known for his explosive starts. Furthermore, his performances on the big stage, especially in ICC tournaments, have been outstanding.
Shikhar was born to Mahendra Pal Dhawan and Sunaina Dhawan in a Punjabi family. He had a keen interest in cricket since childhood. He studied at St. Marks Senior Secondary Public School in Mira Bagh, Delhi, where his cricketing talent began to take shape. Dhawan’s parents then sent him to Sonnet Cricket Club in Delhi under the guidance of coach Tarak Sinha. There, he trained with Indian cricketers such as Ashish Nehra and Rishabh Pant.
His breakthrough came in the 2003β04 Under-19 World Cup, where he scored 505 runs at an average of 84.16 and won the Player of the Tournament award. Despite his early success, Dhawan had to wait almost a decade to become a regular in the Indian national team.
Dhawan made his first-class debut for Delhi in 2004 and performed consistently well in the Ranji Trophy. His domestic performances led to his inclusion in the national team. He made his ODI debut for India on October 20, 2010, against Australia in Visakhapatnam. However, the true glory of his career came three years later, in March 2013, with his Test debut against Australia in Mohali.
With his blend of elegance and aggression, Dhawan is one of the best ODI players of his generation. His consistent performances and match-winning performances in ICC tournaments have earned him the nickname Mr. ICC among fans.
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most consistent performers in the history of the IPL. Beginning from the first season in 2008, he has represented several franchises including:
Dhawan’s IPL Highlights:
Dhawan’s consistency and leadership skills made him a key player. As he aged, he remained among the top run-scorers and led Punjab Kings with maturity and skill in 2023 and 2024.
Dhawan married Ayesha Mukherjee, a former Melbourne kickboxer, in 2012. They met on social media through cricketer Harbhajan Singh. The couple has a son, Zoravar, born in 2014, and Dhawan also shares a close relationship with Ayesha’s two daughters from her previous marriage.
However, after several years of separation, the couple finally divorced in 2021. Since the divorce, Dhawan has focused on his son and cricket career. He is known for his positivity and humor. Dhawan has often spoken about inner peace, gratitude, and strength during difficult times.
Off the field, he is an avid fitness enthusiast, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. He regularly shares glimpses of his spiritual journey, yoga practice, and time spent with family on social media.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 34 | 58 | 1 | 2315 | 190 | 40.61 | 3458 | 66.94 | 7 | 5 | 316 | 12 | 28 | 0 |
| ODIs | 167 | 164 | 10 | 6793 | 143 | 44.11 | 7436 | 91.35 | 17 | 39 | 842 | 79 | 83 | 0 |
| T20Is | 68 | 66 | 3 | 1759 | 92 | 27.92 | 1392 | 126.36 | 0 | 11 | 191 | 50 | 19 | 0 |
| FC | 122 | 202 | 10 | 8499 | 224 | 44.26 | 14372 | 59.13 | 25 | 29 | β | β | 120 | 0 |
| List A | 302 | 298 | 23 | 12074 | 248 | 43.90 | β | β | 30 | 67 | β | β | 149 | 0 |
| T20s | 334 | 331 | 34 | 9797 | 106* | 32.98 | 7816 | 125.34 | 2 | 70 | 1108 | 228 | 136 | 0 |
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 34 | 5 | 54 | 18 | 0 | β | β | β | 2.00 | β | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 167 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| T20Is | 68 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| FC | 122 | β | 298 | 142 | 3 | 2/30 | 2/30 | 47.33 | 2.85 | 99.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 302 | β | 272 | 249 | 9 | 2/22 | 2/22 | 27.66 | 5.49 | 30.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 334 | 6 | 48 | 66 | 4 | 1/7 | 1/7 | 16.50 | 8.25 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
As of 2025, the estimated net worth of Shikhar Dhawan is around $16 million (INR 130 Crore). His sources of income include:
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From a Delhi boy with big dreams to one of India’s most successful opening batsmen! Shikhar Dhawan’s journey is an inspiring story of hard work, belief, and dedication. Whether it’s his debut century, IPL achievements, or his personality off the field, Dhawan remains a benchmark of passion in Indian cricket. As the 2025 season progresses, we eagerly await moments of Gabbar’s passion and confidence.
Dhawan’s highest Test score is 190, against Australia in 2013. As for his best ODI score, it is 143, while his top score in T20s stands at 106 in IPL*.
As of 2025, Dhawan’s net worth is around 16 million dollars. He leads a very lavish but disciplined life. He has several cars: Mercedes GLS, BMW 6 Series, and Audi A6. Despite all the fame, he is still down-to-earth and dedicated to his fitness and spiritual life.
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