‘India will always be grateful' - Wishes pour in on Shikhar Dhawan's 37th birthday

Ace India batter Shikhar Dhawan is celebrating his 37th birthday on December 5, 2023. Dhawan, who is recognised as a left-handed opener, currently serves as the captain of the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and represents Delhi at the domestic level.

Dhawan marked his one-day International (ODI) debut against Australia in October 2010 in Visakhapatnam, followed by his Test debut against the same opposition in March 2013 in Mohali. In a spectacular debut performance, he etched his name on the history books, hitting the fastest century in Test debut. He has scored 187 runs off 174 deliveries, including 33 boundaries and two maximums.

His Test career boasts 2315 runs in 34 matches, including seven centuries, with an average of 40.61 and a strike rate of 66.94. In ODIs, the Delhi-born batter has amassed 6793 runs in 167 games at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. Additionally, in T20 Internationals, he has accumulated 1759 runs from 68 matches, boasting an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36. Despite his impressive statistics across all formats of the game, Dhawan has been consistently excluded from various international events by the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).

Dhawan's standout performances include being the leading run-scorer and receiving the 'Golden Bat' at the 2013 Champions Trophy and 2017 Champions Trophy. He was also awarded the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where India emerged victorious under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The opening batter showcased his batting prowess at the 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, being the top score of the national side.

Dhawan also holds the distinction of being the first player to score two consecutive centuries in the history of IPL. His exceptional contributions in the 2018 Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious, earned him the title of Player of the Tournament, having scored 342 runs.

On his special day, Dhawan received warm wishes from legendary cricketers like Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Manoj Tiwary, among others. Legendary cricketers like Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Manoj Tiwary, and others wished Dhawan on his special day. IPL franchises and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) also penned special messages for one of the greatest batters the nation has ever produced.

Here is how the cricketing fraternity extended its wishes to Shikhar Dhawan: