Today marks 12 years since Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s best opening batsmen, started his Test career on March 18. This Delhi-born lefty has had a great run with India, bagging awards like the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhawan kicked off his red-ball cricket career with the senior team in style, stunning everyone in his first Test against Australia in 2013.
Playing in Mohali, Dhawan smashed 187 runs in India’s first innings. The guy scored the fastest Test century by anyone making their debut. Dhawan’s hit helped India win by six wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. He also got the Player of the Match award for his awesome performance.
Shikhar Dhawan had to be patient and work hard to get to Test cricket. Before his debut in Chandigarh, the Indian opener had already made a name for himself as a great limited-overs batter.
He finally got his chance to shine in Test cricket during the third Test of the 2012/13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Dhawan took it.
Australia batted first in Mohali and put up 408 runs in the first innings. Ed Cowan and David Warner started strong with a 139-run partnership. Steve Smith then added 92, and Mitchell Starc surprised everyone with a 99 off 144 balls. The fast bowler made sure Australia finished with a score that put them in charge.
When India took their turn to bat, Shikhar Dhawan looked ready to make a statement from the jump. He went after the Aussie bowlers with aggressive confidence.
Using his famous drives and cuts, Dhawan smacked loose balls to the boundary. What really made the Indian opener’s innings stand out was how fast he scored. He got to his century in just 85 balls. This record-breaking achievement showed how attacking he was, and the Mohali crowd loved it.
With both Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay scoring over 150 runs, India grabbed a small lead in the Test. The MS Dhoni-led team was ultimately out for 499. India kept Australia in check in the second innings, holding them to 223 runs.
Dhawan didn’t bat during India’s chase because Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja stayed not out to get a six-wicket victory.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Test debut made a big splash. It was a key moment in his career and a milestone in Test history. Dhawan’s century also showed how much talent India had, solidifying their spot as one of the best cricket teams around.
