What Virat Kohli Said About ‘Gabbar’ Shikhar Dhawan’s Retirement (Image: Instagram.com/shikhardofficial)
Senior Indian batter Virat Kohli on Sunday penned a heartfelt message for his long-time teammate and friend Shikhar Dhawan.
Shikhar, India’s one of greatest opening batsmen, announced his retirement from cricket through an emotional video on social media.
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In the lovely message, Kohli said that he would miss Dhawan’s ‘trademark’ smile on the field. The duo has played together since their junior cricket days.
Virat Kohli wrote this about the retirement announcement of cricketer Shikha Dhawan: “Shikhar, 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. 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!”
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. Thank you for the…
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 25, 2024
The former Indian skipper thanked Dhawan, fondly known as ‘Gabbar’, for all the memories and wished the 38-year-old luck in his future endeavors.
Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan were the pillars of Indian cricket through the mid-2010s in all formats of the game. The pair had played 221 matches together in international cricket and have scored a total of 20,780 runs.
The duo in 2013 ICC Champions Trophy formed a formidable opening partnership that helped India secure the title.
Dhawan’s aggressive batting style complemented Kohli’s more measured approach. They both made a formidable force against opposing team.
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Dhawan’s most impressive performances came in the ODI format, where he accumulated 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties. In tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, which included seven centuries.
His outstanding performances also included being adjudged the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in India’s triumphant campaign for the Champions trophy in England, showcasing his immense talent and potential.
