Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, following Dhawan’s retirement from international and domestic cricket. In an emotional post, Rohit referred to Dhawan as “The Ultimate Jatt,” celebrating their incredible journey together on and off the field.
Shikhar Dhawan, known for his explosive batting and dependability, announced his retirement on Saturday after a stellar career that saw him shine across all formats, especially in ODIs and multi-nation tournaments. Dhawan’s departure marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, where he was celebrated as one of the most successful openers.
Rohit took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a series of nostalgic photos, capturing the strong bond they shared throughout their careers. In his post, Rohit reflected on their shared experiences, from rooming together to creating unforgettable memories on the cricket field. “From sharing rooms to sharing lifetime memories on the field. You always made my job easier from the other end. THE ULTIMATE JATT. @SDhawan25,” Rohit captioned the post.
Dhawan quickly responded to Rohit’s touching message with a simple yet meaningful reply: “Thanks Bro.”
The Rohit-Dhawan partnership is one of the most successful in ODI history. Together, they amassed 5,193 runs in 117 innings, with an impressive average of 45.15, including 18 century partnerships and 15 half-century stands. Their best partnership remains an outstanding 210 runs. Reflecting their dominance across formats, the pair ranks 16th in the all-time international cricket list, with 6,984 runs in 173 innings at an average of 40.84.
Rohit and Dhawan’s synergy as openers was a crucial factor in India’s success, particularly in ODIs. While Dhawan’s explosive starts allowed Rohit to settle, both players displayed incredible consistency and complementing styles throughout their innings. Dhawan’s strike rate in the early overs often set the tone, allowing Rohit to gradually build momentum and accelerate later in the innings.
Dhawan’s illustrious career is marked by his effortless run-scoring ability. In 167 ODIs, he scored 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In Test cricket, he amassed 2,315 runs in 34 matches, with seven centuries and five half-centuries. Dhawan also contributed significantly in T20Is, scoring 1,759 runs in 68 matches with 11 fifties.
On the domestic front, Dhawan’s impact was equally impressive. He played 122 first-class matches, scoring 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26, with 25 centuries and 29 fifties. In List A cricket, he scored a staggering 12,074 runs in 302 matches at an average of 43.90, with 30 centuries and 67 half-centuries.
Dhawan’s legacy extends to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well, where he is the second-highest run-scorer of all time. In 222 matches, he scored 6,769 runs at an average of 35.25, including two centuries and 51 fifties.
Throughout his career, Dhawan achieved several milestones, including winning the ICC Champions Trophy with India in 2013 and an IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. As he steps away from the game, Dhawan leaves behind a legacy of excellence, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments that will be cherished by cricket fans worldwide.
