Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan may be currently out of favour for the national team, however, he is highly content with what he has achieved and secured about where he stands compared to his competitors in the race for a spot for the Men in Blue. Dhawan might have captained the Indian teams across various series, however, off the field he was enduring a tumultuous phase – his separation with his wife, Aesha Mukherji. After several months, Dhawan finally opened up about his failed marriage and what he has learned from it.
Dhawan married Melbourne-based amateur kickboxer Aesha Mukherji in 2012 after falling in love. Aesha, who is 12 years older than Dhawan, already had two daughters from her first marriage. Dhawan and Aesha had a son, Zorawar in 2014, however, parted ways with each other in September 2021.
Speaking on Aaj Tak, Dhawan said, “I failed because the final decision is the person’s own. I don’t point fingers at others. I failed because I was not aware of that field. The things I talk about cricket today, I wouldn’t have been aware of the same 20 years back. It comes with experience.”
Dhawan said that if in the future, he decided to marry again, he will learn from this experience and what to do and what not. “Right now my divorce case is going on. Tomorrow, if I want to marry again, I will be much more wiser in that field. I’ll know what kind of girl I need; someone whom I can spend my life with,” he said. “When I was 26-27 and I was continuously playing, I was not in any relationship. I used to have fun, but was never in a relationship.
“So, when I fell in love, I couldn’t see the red flags. But today, if I fall in love, I will be able to see those red flags. So, if I see those red flags, I will walk out. If not, I will carry on,” he further added.
Dhawan, who is set to make his full-time captaincy debut in the IPL will lead the Punjab Kings in the 2023 edition. When asked about advice he would like to give to the youngsters, Dhawan said, “Youngsters, when they get into relationships, they need to experience it. That’s important. They should not take an emotional decision in haste and get married. Spend a couple of years with the person and see whether your cultures match and whether you enjoy each others’ company.”
