Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricketer, has been vocal about his longing for his son, Zoraver, after announcing his retirement from international cricket. Despite being granted visitation rights and video call access, Dhawan has been blocked from seeing his son for months.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Dhawan expressed his hope that Zoraver would learn about his cricket journey and remember him as a good human being. “I would like for Zoraver to remember me as a good human being who does good deeds and brings positivity to people around him,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan’s divorce from his ex-wife, Aesha Mukherji, in October 2023, resulted in him losing custody of Zoraver. The court ruled that Zoraver would be allowed to meet Dhawan and his family during trips to India and Australia.
However, Dhawan has revealed that he has been unable to see or contact Zoraver for months. In December 2023, he posted a heartfelt message on his birthday, expressing his sadness and acceptance of the situation. “I write messages to him every day, I don’t know whether he is receiving those or not, whether he is reading them or not. I don’t have any expectations. I have accepted it. I am a father and I am trying to do my duty. I miss him, I feel sad but I have learnt to live with it,” he said.
Dhawan’s longing for his son was also evident during the IPL 2024 season. He posted a photo on Instagram of a Punjab Kings jersey with Zoraver’s name on the back, with the caption “You’re Always with Me, My Boy.”
Despite the challenges, Dhawan remains hopeful that he will be able to reconnect with his son in the future. “I hope that one day, when Zoraver is old enough to understand, he will come to me and ask me about my life and my cricket journey. I will be there for him, whenever he needs me,” Dhawan said.
