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Played With Broken Arm! When Shikhar Dhawan Risked Everything To Save Test Career

Akshita Patel

Shikhar Dhawan shares an upsetting memory [Source: @ICC/X.com]Shikhar Dhawan shares an upsetting memory [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Back in 2016, former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan risked everything to retain a spot in India’s Test team. Playing against New Zealand, Dhawan broke his arm after getting hit by Trent Boult but played through the injury to prove himself.

In August of last year, Dhawan announced his retirement from international cricket after a prolonged period of absence. He played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is, with more than 10,000 international runs to his name.

But it wasn't all plain sailing. In 2016, he had to fight hard for his spot on the national team, despite being severely injured.

Shikhar Dhawan Reveals Gruesome Memory Of Test Career

The incident took place during the second Test against New Zealand in Kolkata. Shikhar Dhawan scored just 1 run in the first innings. 

In the second innings, he was struck on the arm by a fast delivery from Trent Boult, which fractured his arm. Despite the injury, Dhawan continued to bat, scoring around 17 runs. 

Speaking on Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube show 'Taakat,' Dhawan shared that he played a Test match with a broken arm, fearing he would lose his place in the team if he sat out.

"The most difficult phase of my career, there was a time when I was really desperate. I knew that if I don't score runs I would be out of the team. We had a Test match in Kolkata, against New Zealand. First innings I got out, second innings I went out and got hit by a ball by Trent Boult, it broke my arm," Dhawan said.

"I knew that if I choose to sit out of that innings, I would be out of that team. So I decided no, I'm going to play, I'm going to see out the innings. I'm dead either way, so might as well die completely on the pitch and go out). I played with a broken arm, got out on 15-20 runs, and after that I was out of the Test team," he added.

This was one of the most difficult phases of Dhawan’s career, as he was already under pressure to score runs. Years later, Dhawan was no longer part of the Test setup. However, his legacy is still respected in Indian cricket.

Dhawan Had Previously Scored A Century With A Broken Thumb

Similarly, in another instance, Shikhar Dhawan made a heroic knock during the 2019 World Cup against Australia despite having a broken thumb. He scored an incredible 117 off 109 balls at The Oval, bringing India to a total of 352. In spite of the agony, his willpower came out, making it his third World Cup hundred. Even though the injury cut short his tournament, this knock is one of India's greatest fearless ODI innings.