Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli paid an emotional tribute to long-time fellow player Shikhar Dhawan, who announced retirement from international cricket. With all those great moments played out together between Kohli and Dhawan on the field, it was not possible for the former to fail to recognize the indefatigable passion, intrepid approach, and reliable performance throughout the career of the left-handed opener.
In an emotional post, Virat Kohli wrote on X: “Shikhar @SDhawan25, from your fearless debut to becoming one of India’s most dependable openers, you’ve given us so many memories to hold. The passion with which you play the game, your sportsmanship, and that smile will be missed, but the legacy stays.”. Thanks for the memories, unforgettable performances, and always leading from the front with your heart. Have a good next innings, off-field Gabbar!
Kohli’s message encapsulated the admiration and respect that many in the cricketing world hold for Dhawan.
Shikhar Dhawan, nicknamed ‘Gabbar’ by his teammates and fans, burst onto the scene for the Indian national cricket team back in 2010, very quickly proving to be a force at the top of the batting order. Over the years, he has been praised not only for his brand of attacking batsmanship but also for his genial nature and his unique celebrations that involve twirling his mustache.
Virat Kohli, who has been a part of the same playing teams in which Dhawan featured in many games across formats, took to social media to express his gratitude for all that Dhawan had done for Indian cricket. Kohli wrote that Dhawan made a confident debut and afterward became an dependable and consistent performer for the Indian team. He said further that Dhawan’s passion for the game was visible every time he took the field, while his sportsmanship was something good to see and follow.
Kohli also went ahead to mention the importance of Dhawan’s characteristic smile and positive attitude, which acted as a constant source of inspiration to the other teammates. “Your smile will be missed,” said Kohli, acknowledging the infectious energy Dhawan carried into the side. He also said Dhawan’s legacy would remain not in the records and achievements but in the kind of impact he left on the people around him.
Kohli’s tribute, as Dhawan walks into the sunset of international cricket, is reminiscent of a camaraderie and mutual respect that the two cricketing stalwarts have shared. Dhawan’s retirement is surely the end of an era, but his contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for years to come.
Shikhar Dhawan retires, leaving behind a rich legacy of more than 6,000 runs in One Day Internationals and nearly 2,000 in Test matches. His knack for doing so under pressure and the skill of doing it on the biggest of stages is what made him such an asset to the Indian cricket team. As fans and cricketers bid their farewell to ‘Gabbar,’ there was the feeling that he would indeed be missed, both on and off the field in various activities.
