Virat Kohli Lauds Shikhar Dhawan’s Legacy as India’s Dependable Opener
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has paid a heartfelt tribute to Shikhar Dhawan, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Kohli hailed Dhawan as one of India’s most dependable openers, whose passion, sportsmanship, and signature smile will be dearly missed.
Dhawan, fondly known as ‘Gabbar,’ has had an illustrious career, amassing 10,867 runs in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is. He is the 12th highest run-scorer for India in international cricket, with 24 centuries and 79 fifty-plus scores.
Kohli highlighted Dhawan’s fearless debut and his rise to becoming one of India’s most reliable openers. He credited Dhawan for giving countless memories to cherish, both on and off the field.
“Your passion for the game, your sportsmanship, and your trademark smile will be missed, but your legacy lives on,” Kohli wrote on social media.
Dhawan’s most notable achievement came in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he was named the player of the tournament for scoring the most runs (363). Along with Kohli and Rohit Sharma, he formed an unmatched triumvirate in the international white-ball formats from 2013 to 2019.
Kohli and Dhawan shared a deep bond, both on and off the field. They hail from the same region in West Delhi and came through the system at almost the same time. They were teammates for the Indian team for almost a decade.
Kohli expressed his gratitude to Dhawan for all the memories and wished him luck in his future endeavors. “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!” he added.
Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His contributions to the team have been immense, and his legacy as a dependable opener will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history.
