Ishan Kishan's iconic 200: The moment Shikhar Dhawan knew his India career was over

India Today

2 days ago

Shikhar Dhawan's international career came to an abrupt end. Once a vital part of India's limited-overs setup, the flamboyant left-hander did not receive the fitting farewell that his contributions arguably deserved.Dhawan played a significant role in India's white-ball success, most notably during the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, where he finished as the top run-scorer with 363 runs in five matches at an average of 90.75. He also maintained a strong record in ICC tournaments, averaging 53.70 in ODI World Cups. His consistent performances were crucial in keeping India amongst the title contenders in global events after their 2011 World Cup triumph, even though they were unable to add another trophy to the cabinet.advertisementHowever, time eventually caught up with him, as it does with all athletes. The Indian team began shifting its focus towards the future, giving opportunities to younger players who had delivered standout performances in the Indian Premier League.
The game itself was also evolving, with greater emphasis on power-hitting and clearing the ropes with ease. Dhawan, known more for his timing and fluency, did not quite fit into the new approach. Instead, Ishan Kishan, a fearless young batter from Jharkhand, entered the frame and made headlines with his record-breaking double century against Bangladesh, becoming the youngest to achieve the feat in ODIs. That record was later surpassed by Shubman Gill, who scored 208 against New Zealand in 2023.At that point, Dhawan realised that his time in the Indian jersey was likely over.advertisement"I was scoring lots of 50s, I didn't score a 100, but I scored lots of 70s. When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me, alright boy, this can be the end of your career. An inner voice came to me. And that's what happened. Then I remember my friends came over to, you know, give me that emotional support. They thought that I would be very down. But I was chilling, I was enjoying," Dhawan said in an interview with Hindustan Times.What made the moment even tougher was that, apart from head coach Rahul Dravid, no one from the team reached out to him. Dhawan, however, said he did not take it personally and that such things were normal in professional sport."No, it doesn't happen that way," he said."Maybe I spoke to Rahul (Dravid) Bhai. He messaged me. Everyone has their own journey, and they are doing work or they are on tours, that's something very normal. We are used to it from the age of under 14, this is not the first time I am getting dropped or getting in," he added.Despite the quiet exit, Dhawan continues to be fondly remembered for his iconic performances. His energy, flair and ability to rise to the occasion made him a fan favourite and a key figure in one of the most formidable white-ball batting units India has produced. - EndsTrending Reel