NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Sunday shared his favourite international innings, highlighting his comeback century in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa and his gritty ton against Australia in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
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Speaking to the media in Dubai as the ICC Champions Trophy ambassador, Dhawan reflected on these memorable knocks.
"Personally, the best knock for me? There are a few," Dhawan said. "My Cardiff knock against South Africa (114 off 94 balls) in the 2013 Champions Trophy was very special. It was my comeback in ODI cricket, and I handled the pressure as a youngster."
He also recalled his valiant innings in the 2019 World Cup against Australia, where he scored 117 runs despite playing with a fractured thumb. "I got hit on 25, but I continued and got a century. That was a very dear knock to me," he added.
Dhawan was India's go-to man in ICC ODI tournaments, finishing as the third-highest run-getter in Champions Trophy history with 701 runs in 10 innings at 77.88, including three centuries and three fifties. He remains the only batter to have won the ‘Golden Bat’ for most runs in two editions of the tournament.
In 10 ODI World Cup matches, Dhawan amassed 537 runs at an average of 53.70, registering three centuries and a fifty, with a best of 137. His six ICC tournament centuries place him among India's top performers, alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
Speaking on India's current opening pair, Dhawan lauded Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, praising Gill’s technique and Rohit’s experience.
"Gill’s skill is outstanding. He has so much time. In the last game, he pulled and hit a 90-meter six— that requires incredible skill. Rohit is a legend of the game," Dhawan said.
He emphasised the importance of chemistry between openers, saying, "Partnerships are crucial. You must understand each other's frequency without even saying words, just through your eyes."
The Rohit-Gill duo has been highly successful, scoring 1,974 runs in 30 ODI innings at an average of 68.06, including six century and 12 fifty-run stands, with a best partnership of 212 runs.
