Know your Cricketer: Shikhar Dhawan; an opening Batter

Personal Information
Full Name	Shikhar Dhawan
Date of Birth	December 5th, 1985
Current Team(s)	Punjab Kings (PBKS)
	Indian Cricket Team
Role	Opening Batter
Batting Style	Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style	Right Arm Orthodox
Debut	October 20th, 2010
Jersey No.	42

Shikhar Dhawan, a prominent and highly skilled cricket player from India, has established himself as a formidable force in the world of cricket. With his exceptional batting skills and right-arm offbreak bowling, Dhawan has made a name for himself as one of the most successful opening batsmen in the game. Born on December 5th, 1985, in New Delhi, Dhawan's journey to success has been nothing short of remarkable.

Early Career and Domestic Success
Dhawan's cricketing prowess was evident from a young age. He excelled in the under-16, under-17, and under-19 categories, impressing selectors with his batting skills. In November 2004, Dhawan made his first-class debut for Delhi against Andhra, marking the beginning of his domestic career. He quickly rose to prominence and became the leading run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy Season 2004-05.

In January 2005, Dhawan made his List A debut against J&K and showcased his immense talent by scoring two unbeaten centuries against Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. His consistent performances in domestic cricket caught the attention of the cricket fraternity, and his journey to the international stage was just around the corner.

Rise to Prominence in the IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a platform for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills on a global stage, and Shikhar Dhawan found his calling in this prestigious tournament. During the 2013 IPL season, Dhawan was picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he made an immediate impact with his explosive batting. His consistent performances earned him the captaincy of the team in the following year.

In 2019, Dhawan was acquired by the Delhi Capitals, and he proved to be a vital asset for the team. He exhibited exceptional form by scoring consecutive hundreds, solidifying his reputation as one of the best opening batsmen in the IPL. Furthermore, Dhawan achieved the remarkable feat of crossing the 5000 runs mark, becoming only the fifth player to achieve this milestone in the history of the IPL.

The 2022 IPL auction saw Dhawan being bought by the Punjab Kings for a whopping 8.5Cr. This season proved to be a memorable one for Dhawan as he reached two significant milestones - playing his 200th IPL match and surpassing 6000 runs in the tournament. These accomplishments further cemented his position as one of the legends of the IPL.

International Career
Shikhar Dhawan's international career began in October 2010 when he made his debut for the Indian cricket team. Initially making his mark in the shorter format of the game, Dhawan played his first T20I match against the West Indies in 2011. His explosive batting style and ability to dominate the game from the very beginning earned him a place in the Indian Test Squad in 2013.

Dhawan's performance in the domestic season of 2012-13 played a crucial role in his selection for the Test squad. He showcased his talent and versatility by adapting to the longer format of the game seamlessly. Dhawan's ability to score quick runs at the top of the order and his aggressive stroke play made him a valuable asset for the Indian Test team.

Career Statistics
Here are Shikhar Dhawan's career statistics:

Conclusion
Shikhar Dhawan's journey from a young and talented cricketer to an established opening batsman has been nothing short of exceptional. With his aggressive batting style and ability to dominate the game, Dhawan has become a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. His success in the IPL and consistent performances for the Indian cricket team have solidified his place among the legends of the game. As Dhawan continues to shine on the cricket pitch, his contribution to the sport and his fans' admiration for him only grow stronger with each passing day.