February 28, 2025: Ahead of India’s clash against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former opener Shikhar Dhawan opened up about his 2013 Champions Trophy journey, his iconic 9-year-long opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, and shared his views on Rohit’s evolution as a captain.
India will face Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand side in their final group-stage match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Dhawan reflected on his memorable first tournament with Rohit Sharma, a partnership that started at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and continued for nearly a decade.
“We trust each other and our understanding and level of communication was very high. On the field and off, our bond is the same. We played together, and we have partied together after winning so many series. We have played as a team. That whole journey and even before playing for 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 shared on JioHotstar.
The left-hander recalled the surprise decision to open the innings with Rohit Sharma during the 2013 Champions Trophy, a decision that proved to be a turning point in their careers. “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,” Dhawan added.
Reflecting on their memorable partnership, Dhawan said, “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.”
On Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Dhawan praised his leadership qualities. “From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is a lot. Rohit has been through a lot. He knows how to work in a high-pressure situation and 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,” Dhawan concluded.
Dhawan, a stalwart of Indian cricket, has represented India across all formats and has amassed impressive records, especially in ODIs. In 167 appearances, he scored 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In Tests, Dhawan scored 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6, with seven centuries and five half-centuries. He has also made 68 appearances in T20Is, scoring 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.