Dhoni's Faith Laid the Foundation of My Career: Shikhar Dhawan
- Shikhar Dhawan credits MS Dhoni’s early support as crucial to his international success.
- Also acknowledges backing from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during their captaincy.
- Retired in 2024 with over 10,000 international runs; now plays in Nepal’s T20 league.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed heartfelt gratitude towards former captain MS Dhoni, acknowledging the pivotal role the legendary skipper played in shaping his international cricket journey. Reflecting on his early days, Dhawan credited Dhoni’s unwavering belief and support as the key factor that helped him establish himself in the Indian team.
Speaking at the charity event Beyond the Boundaries in London, the 39-year-old Dhawan said, “I feel Dhoni bhai supported me a lot and truly backed me. At the start of my career, his belief in me made a big difference. When a leader shows that kind of faith, it really helps you grow and go a long way”.
Dhawan, who made his ODI debut in 2010 and shot to fame with a blistering 85-ball century on Test debut against Australia in 2013, became a consistent performer in India’s limited-overs setup under Dhoni’s leadership. His aggressive style at the top of the order and match-winning knocks were instrumental in many Indian victories over the years.
While he also acknowledged the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in later stages of his career, Dhawan emphasized that Dhoni’s mentorship during his formative years laid the foundation. “Even later on, Virat or Rohit backed me as well when they became captains. But Dhoni bhai's support in the initial phase was something special”, he added.
Dhawan also extended his appreciation to the support staff and coaches who contributed to his success. “The role of support staff and coaches is equally vital. Their encouragement off the field helps you perform on it”, he said.
Having announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in August 2024, Dhawan leaves behind an illustrious career scoring 2315 runs in 34 Tests, 6793 in 167 ODIs, and 1579 in 68 T20Is. He represented several IPL franchises and continues his cricketing journey with Nepal’s Karnali Yaks in their T20 league.
