India captain Rohit Sharma has paid a touching tribute to his long-time opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket. The duo, widely regarded as one of the most successful opening pairs in ODI cricket, forged a remarkable partnership on the field, amassing 5,148 runs together in 115 matches at an impressive average of 45.55. Their record includes 18-century and 15 half-century stands, making them the fourth-most successful opening pair in ODI history.
Rohit Sharma took to the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to share a few nostalgic throwback pictures with Shikhar and penned a heartfelt message that encapsulated their enduring bond. “From sharing rooms to sharing lifetime memories on the field. You always made my job easier from the other end. THE ULTIMATE JATT,” Rohit wrote, expressing his deep appreciation for his former teammate.
Shikhar Dhawan, affectionately known as ‘Gabbar’ among fans, officially retired on Saturday, August 24, drawing the curtains on a glorious playing career for India. His last appearance for the national team came in a Test match against Bangladesh in December 2022.
Beyond their success in ODIs, Rohit and Shikhar also enjoyed a prolific partnership in T20Is, opening together in 52 innings and accumulating 1,743 runs. Their partnership in T20Is included four-century and seven half-century stands, placing them as the fourth-most successful pair in the T20I circuit, behind Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Ireland’s Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, and India’s own KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from the game, his legacy as one of India’s finest openers remains firmly intact. His partnership with Rohit Sharma will be remembered as one of the most dynamic and successful in the history of cricket, marked by camaraderie, mutual respect, and a shared passion for the game.
