As a leader, Rohit has become mature; he knows when to be lenient and when to pull back: Shikhar Dhawan

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan recently recalled his 2013 ICC Champions Trophy journey. India won the tournament in England under MS Dhoni’s stewardship, with Dhawan playing a critical role in the team’s success. The southpaw also revisited his nine-year long opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, which began at the same tournament.

Looking back on opening the innings with Rohit for the first time and then playing together for 10 years, Dhawan said that the call was taken by skipper Dhoni. As fate would have it, the duo went onto become one of India’s most prolific white-ball opening pairs of all time.

“This opening pair decision was made half a day prior to that match. At that time, I was also new, and I was in my own world. I had made a comeback and needed to perform well. But MS Dhoni took this decision and instructed Rohit to open. So I didn't think much about it. I thought if Rohit opens, we'll enjoy batting together. We got such a great start in the first match. We were at 100 without losing a wicket. We didn't score 30 -35 runs up to the 10th over because the wicket was seaming. But I never thought that our pair would be so massive and we would play together for 10 years,” Dhawan said on ‘The Shikhar Dhawan Experience’ on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

When asked about his camaraderie with opening partner Rohit, Dhawan said that the two struck well ever since the beginning and had an innate understanding of each other’s game.

“We trust with each other and our understanding and level of communication was very high. On the field and off the field our bond is same. We played together, we have partied together after winning so many series. We have played as a team. That whole journey and even before playing in India, when Rohit was 16 -17 years old, I played in the Under-19 World Cup. So, we have been together and have been friends since then.”

Dhawan also shared his insights on Rohit’s captaincy, lauding his ability to tackle pressure and possessing the quality to get the best out of his players and keeping them united.

“From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is a lot. Rohit has been through a lot. He knows how to work in a pressure situation, how to gather the boys. As a leader, he has become mature, he knows when to be lenient and when to pull back. It's a fine balance and Rohit's bond with the boys is amazing. We are in a great situation,” said Dhawan.