Shikhar Dhawan pens emotional post for son Zoraver during WCL stint: Wish he was here

India Today

10 hours ago

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan's recent social media post has struck a deeply emotional chord with fans across the world. The veteran Indian cricketer shared a heartfelt message about his son, Zoraver - a quiet expression of longing that stood apart from the usual rhythms of cricketing life. Accompanied by a series of previously unseen and affectionate photographs, the post offered a rare glimpse into Dhawan's personal world - one shaped by love, absence, and memories that linger long after the moment has passed.advertisement"WCL mein jab doston ko apne kids ke saath khelte dekha bas ek thought aaya, wish Zora was here. It would've been a different kind of joy. Later, I came across some of his childhood photos and suddenly, all those memories came rushing back. Some moments really do stay closest to the heart," Dhawan wrote on Instagram. Among the photographs, one in particular stood out - an image of Dhawan alongside Rohit Sharma, Rohit's daughter Samaira, and young Zoraver. In October 2023, Dhawan was granted a divorce by a Delhi court, which noted that he had suffered mental distress as a result of being kept away from his only son for several years. The court observed that Aesha Mukherjee, his estranged wife, had either not contested or failed to refute the allegations made against her.
Despite the findings, Dhawan was not granted permanent custody. The court awarded him visitation rights and allowed video calls with Zoraver during 'reasonable periods' both in India and in Australia, where Aesha resides.Speaking to news agency ANI earlier this year, Dhawan revealed that he had been blocked from all virtual communication with his son. Nonetheless, he continues to send him messages every few days, holding on to hope and the possibility of reconnection.Dhawan and Aesha, who has two daughters from a previous marriage, wed in 2011. Their marriage broke down after a prolonged period of personal strain, eventually culminating in their separation and divorce after 11 years together.Notably, the Dhawan-starrer India Champions team officially withdrew from their scheduled WCL fixture against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The decision, made collectively by the players, came in protest against the terror attack in Pahalgam and was in line with India's longstanding policy of not engaging in bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan. It marked the second time India had refused to take the field against Pakistan in the tournament, having also pulled out of their group stage encounter on 20 July at the same venue.- EndsTrending Reel