Shikhar Dhawan against Australia [Source: @NepalsRhinoArmy/X.com]
Shikhar Dhawan, the stylish Indian opener known for his aggressive batting, retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 38. With a career that spanned over 13 years, the left-handed opener has left behind a treasure trove of memories for the Indian cricket fans, especially his stellar performances against mighty Australia.
As the former Indian star turns 39, let's take a look at his top three of his career against the Aussies:
3) 100 Runs vs Australia, 2013
In the 6th ODI match of the 7-match ODI series in 2013 in Nagpur, Dhawan played an outstanding knock of 100 runs. Chasing a challenging target of 350 set by the hosts, Dhawan provided the perfect foundation along with Rohit Sharma with his aggressive stroke play, hitting 11 boundaries and maintaining a strike rate of 98.03. His powerful innings set the stage for Virat Kohli’s 115*, helping India win by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
2) 187 Runs vs Australia, 2013
Dhawan’s Test debut was nothing short of spectacular. In 2013, when he finally got his chance, he made the most of it by scoring a brilliant 187 runs against Australia. He reached the fastest debut century off just 85 balls. His knock of 187 off 174 balls, featuring 33 boundaries and 2 sixes, helped India take a first-innings lead. Dhawan’s performance was a sweet revenge after his duck in the 2010 ODI series against Australia. He was named Player of the Match as India sealed a six-wicket win.
1) 117 Runs vs Australia, 2019 World Cup
In the 2019 World Cup, Dhawan once again showed his ability to deliver on big occasions. He scored 117 runs against Australia, despite being hit on the thumb by Pat Cummins early in his innings. His 109-ball knock, which included 16 boundaries, helped India set a challenging target of 353. India won by 36 runs, and Dhawan’s performance earned him the Player of the Match. Unfortunately, a hairline fracture to his thumb later forced him out of the World Cup.