Ishan Kishan's Record-Breaking 200: The Innings That Signaled the End for Shikhar Dhawan's India Career

Shikhar Dhawan, a celebrated figure in Indian cricket, acknowledged that Ishan Kishan's remarkable double century against Bangladesh signaled the likely conclusion of his tenure with the Indian national team.

Dhawan, known for his aggressive left-handed batting, carved out a distinguished career marked by significant contributions to India's success in limited-overs cricket. A key highlight was his performance at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 363 runs in just five matches at an impressive average of 90.75. His consistent form in ICC events, including an ODI World Cup average of 53.70, played a vital role in maintaining India's competitiveness on the global stage following their 2011 World Cup victory.

Shikhar Dhawan and Ishan Kishan have opened for India. (Image: PTI, AP)

However, the evolving landscape of cricket, with its increasing emphasis on power-hitting, saw a shift in team strategy. Younger players who excelled in the Indian Premier League were given opportunities, and Dhawan's more conventional style faced challenges in the new approach.

Ishan Kishan's explosive double century against Bangladesh marked a turning point. He became the youngest player to achieve this milestone in ODIs, before Shubman Gill surpassed the record in 2023.

"I was scoring lots of 50s, I didn't score a 100, but I scored lots of 70s. When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my instinct told me, alright boy, this can be the end of your career. An inner voice came to me. And that's what happened," Dhawan revealed in an interview with Hindustan Times.

Despite the lack of communication from most of the team, except for head coach Rahul Dravid, Dhawan remained philosophical about his exit, attributing it to the nature of professional sports.

Even with his quiet departure from the international scene, Shikhar Dhawan remains a revered figure, remembered for his impactful performances and his contribution to India's formidable batting lineup.