Why Is Shikhar Dhawan One Of The Greatest ODI Openers For India?

Shikhar Dhawan [X]Shikhar Dhawan [X]

Shikhar Dhawan, one of the best and long-lasting openers that India has produced announced his retirement from international cricket. He has been a hero for the team on many occasions and has led the foundation of many big innings for India in his long international career.

Shikhar Dhawan made his debut at a time when ODI cricket was evolving. At this juncture he induced a new life into the Indian opening along with Rohit Sharma. While India has over the years had some great batters, who have opened the innings for the team, Shikhar Dhawan will be remembered as one of the bests in the business during his time. 

Comparison of Shikhar Dhawan with other Indian openers

One of the prime requirements to be an impactful opener in ODI is to be consistent while scoring runs at a good rate. Here is a comparison of his average and strike rate with some of the great Indian ODI openers.

Players
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
Virender Sehwag2047,24036.93104.85
Rohit Sharma1788,83655.5795.99
Shikhar Dhawan1666,79344.1191.35
Sachin Tendulkar34415,31048.2988.04
Gautam Gambhir943,36739.6186.48

When sorted by either Strike Rate or Average, Shikhar Dhawan finds himself in the third spot of this elite list. This shows that while the South-paw was consistent, he seldom compromised with his scoring rate. 

Helping Rohit Sharma prosper as an ODI opener

The way Shikhar Dhawan complimented, Rohit Sharma's batting style went a long way in making the later a successful ODI opener. The current Indian skipper has changed his approach in the recent times and looks to attack from the word go. However, a few years ago, Sharma came in with a different approach. He tried to spend some time in the middle before shifting gears. 

This is where Shikhar Dhawan was crucial. While Rohit tried to adjust himself to the playing conditions, Dhawan kept the scoreboard going taking the pressure off Sharma. The fact they are the fourth most successful opening pair in ODIs points out the level of understanding between the two.

Most runs by opening pairs in ODIs

Opening Partners
Matches
Runs
Average
Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar1366,60949.32
Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden1145,37248.39
Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes1025,15052.55
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma1155,14845.55
Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock934,19846.64

Shikhar Dhawan, the master of ICC trophies

The biggest impact Shikhar Dhawan had for India was in the multi-national tournaments. The southpaw enjoyed scoring runs in ICC trophies and has ruled the World Cups and ICC Champions trophies that he has played. Dhawan also as a great record in the Asia Cups. These shows that Dhawan had a nerve of steel and had the ability to fire at stages where the other batters might feel nervous. Here is a look at the record of Dhawan in multinational tournaments. 

Tournaments
Matches
Runs
Average
100s
ICC World Cups and Champions Trophies201,23865.156
Asia Cups953459.332


Conclusion

Shikhar Dhawan's consistency along with his scoring rate at the top of the line-up, his ability to allow his partner to play their own game and his performances in the multi-national tournaments, point to his efficiency and importance to team India as an opener in ODIs. Dhawan will be remembered as one of the best ODI openers to have ever graced the game of cricket.