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Opener Shikhar Dhawan made his debut under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and blossomed under the leadership of Kohli, who also hails from Delhi and played domestic cricket together for quite a while.
In our second part of an exclusive interview, Shikhar Dhawan talks about the notable differences in the captaincy styles of Dhoni and Virat, his camaraderie with Rohit Sharma, on scoring heavily in ICC tournaments and the Asian Games snub, among others.
Excerpts:
You made your debut under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and have also played under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. Any notable difference in their captaincy styles?
Both MS Dhoni bhai and Virat Kohli have distinct styles of captaincy, shaped by their personalities, approaches to the game, and leadership philosophies. I have played under them & have good relations with them. I think both of them are exceptional cricketers and everyone wants to become like them only.
Dhoni bhai is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field, regardless of the match situation. This cool-headed approach has been a hallmark of his captaincy. Dhoni bhai is often praised for his instinctive decision-making. He trusts his cricketing instincts and has a knack for making the right calls, particularly in pressure situations. Dhoni bhai is known for his effective man-management skills. He remains calm under pressure and is supportive of his players, creating a positive team environment.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in 2015. (Photo by Greg Wood/AFP via Getty Images)
Virat Kohli has cultivated a youthful and energetic team environment. He encourages young talents and is willing to back them, providing opportunities for them to flourish. Kohli places a strong emphasis on fitness and conditioning. This focus on physical fitness has become a key aspect of the team culture under his captaincy. Kohli leads from the front with his performances. His aggressive style of batting often sets the tone for the team, and he expects a similar level of intensity from his players.
You made a late Test debut at the age of 27 but smashed the fastest ever hundred on debut off just 85 balls. With 7 Test tons to your name, do you think you could have had a longer Test career?
See, I have been privileged to be able to play as much for the Indian Test team side, I made my Test debut in 2013 against Australia. My debut in the longest format was a memorable one as I scored 187 runs off 174 balls vs Australia. Five years later, in 2018, I played my final Test match for the national team. After this, I have completely focused on white-ball formats (ODIs & T20Is). I am not in the Test team for the last 4-5 years. The age factor is also there in every cricketer’s life – a sportsman’s life is different. Since I am not playing Test matches, I will give rest to my body, and stay fresh for the shorter formats of the game.
Shikhar Dhawan celebrating his first fastest Test debut century against Australia at Mohali in 2013. (TOI Photo)
Your thoughts on always scoring heavily in ICC tournaments, be it the World Cup or the Champions Trophy…
I am glad I have been a consistent performer for the Indian cricket team, particularly in ICC tournaments. ICC Champions Trophy 2013, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – these tournaments have been the highlights of my career.
I think my knack for rising to the occasion in high-pressure situations and my aggressive yet controlled style of batting is the reason for this performance, also not to forget the captain’s & team’s support throughout these tournaments have been essential. I also want to thank all my fans & followers for always being there for me.
Your thoughts on forming a great opening partnership with Rohit Sharma…
Rohit Sharma and I have formed one of the most successful opening partnerships for the Indian cricket team in limited-overs cricket as per me. My collaboration with Rohit & his support at the other end at the top of the order has been instrumental in providing strong starts to the team, setting the foundation for successful chases and big totals. I seriously give credit for a lot of my best performances to Rohit’s support.
Rohit on the other end gives that sense of comfort and assurance. We have scored over 6000 runs together, with 19 century stands and 16 half-century stands. I think our best innings was a 193-run opening stand against Australia in the fourth ODI at Mohali in 2019 & the second best will be against Pakistan in 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai where we put together a 210-run stand for the first wicket.
MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in 2019. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
You were hurt by the Asian Games snub…
When my name was not there (for Asian Games), I was a bit shocked. But, then, I was like they have a different thought process, you just have to accept it. I have not spoken to any selector (about my future). I keep going to NCA. I enjoy my time there, the facilities are great. NCA has shaped my career and I am grateful for it.
What would you consider the most memorable moment in your cricketing career so far?
I think, when I was given the Arjuna Award, that moment is my best moment related to my cricketing career. It is a great honour for me to receive the Arjuna Award and I still thank everyone for being with me throughout his journey, including my coaches, medical staff, support staff, the BCCI, my teammates, family and friends.
Shikhar Dhawan leads off the Indian team at Eden Park on November 25, 2022 in Auckland. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Which innings or match stands out as your personal favorite, and why?
I remember 137 against South Africa in World Cup 2015 as my personal favourite. It was a league stage match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The ground had approximately 70 to 80 thousand in attendance and it was my 7th ODI hundred.
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