senior batter Virat Kohli praised Shikhar Dhawan as one of India’s most reliable openers.
Kohli acknowledged that while Dhawan’s passion, sportsmanship, and iconic smile will be missed, his lasting impact on the game will continue to be remembered. Dhawan, a leading top-order player, had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma also went on to post about Dhawan. He appreciated him as greatest opener and always making things easier for him on field.
Virat Kohli Expresses His Gratitude Towards Dhawan
“Shikhar @SDhawan25 from your fearless debut to becoming one of India’s most dependable openers, you’ve given us countless memories to cherish. Your passion for the game, your sportsmanship and your trademark smile will be missed, but your legacy lives on,” Kohli wrote on X.
The former India captain expressed gratitude to Dhawan, affectionately nicknamed ‘Gabbar’, for the cherished memories and extended best wishes to the 38-year-old for his future pursuits.
“Thank you for the memories, unforgettable performances and always leading with your heart. Wishing you the best in your next innings, off the field Gabbar!” he added.
Rohit Sharma’s Heartwarming Post
“From sharing rooms to sharing lifetime memories on the field. You always made my job easier from the other end. THE ULTIMATE JATT.”
In his international career, Shikhar Dhawan amassed 10,867 runs across 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, making him the 12th highest run-scorer for India. His record includes 24 centuries and 79 half-centuries.
Dhawan was instrumental in India’s Champions Trophy win in 2013, where he was named Player of the Tournament for scoring the highest runs (363) in the tournament.
From 2013 to 2019, Dhawan, along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, formed a formidable trio in white-ball cricket. Dhawan and Kohli shared a strong bond both on and off the field, having grown up in West Delhi and progressed through the cricketing ranks around the same time. The two were teammates for nearly a decade with the Indian team.
