Shikhar Dhawan, the swashbuckling former opening batsman, has recently shared details of his first encounter with MS Dhoni, revealing his initial impression of the legendary captain. In his memoir, "The One: Cricket, My Life and More," Dhawan recounts his experience of joining the Indian team for the ODI series against Australia in 2010.
Dhawan recalls that upon seeing Dhoni, he was struck by his charismatic presence and thought he resembled a film star. Dhoni, known for his long hair and easy smile in his early cricketing days, had a captivating aura. "I wanted to cast him in a Bollywood movie; he looked like a film star with that long hair and easy smile," Dhawan wrote.
During a conversation about Dhawan's motivation, he playfully told Dhoni that he wanted to make him a Bollywood hero. "We were having a chat about my motivation when I suddenly blurted out, 'I want to play for India and I want to make you a Bollywood hero!' He threw back his head and laughed," Dhawan shared. This lighthearted interaction showcased Dhawan's jovial nature, even as a newcomer to the international cricket scene.
Dhawan's debut series against Australia in 2010 didn't go as planned. Selected for three ODIs, the first and third matches were washed out due to rain. The first match in Kochi was particularly frustrating, as Dhawan was too nervous to sleep the night before. "Before the first match in Kochi, there was so much nervous energy bubbling inside me that I could not sleep the whole night… But when I got up in the morning, it was raining heavily, and all my hopes turned to nought. No action was possible that day," Dhawan writes.
In the second ODI at Vizag, Dhawan opened the batting with Murali Vijay but was dismissed for a duck. "I walked off from the crease with a smile pasted on my face, but inside, I was kicking myself hard," he recalls. Despite the disappointing start, Dhoni and the team management backed him.
Dhawan's career eventually took off, and he became a vital player for India, especially in ODIs. He played a crucial role in India's victory at the 2013 Champions Trophy, scoring 363 runs, including two centuries and a fifty. His partnership with Dhoni was instrumental in many victories.
Dhawan also reflected on the differences between Dhoni's and Virat Kohli's captaincy styles. He described Dhoni as calm and composed, noting that he never saw him shout. "Dhoni bhai has never... I have never seen him shout. That was his strength," Dhawan stated. He also added, "But when you look at his eyes, you get scared". Dhawan, who debuted in the international circuit under Dhoni’s captaincy, believes that Dhoni's calm demeanor and experience helped the team perform at their optimum level.
Dhawan's memoir also touches on the evolution of media scrutiny during his career. He notes that when he was trying to break into the Indian side, social media was still in its early stages, and cricketers were under less scrutiny. According to Dhawan, narratives took longer to change back then, unlike today, where social media can quickly transform a cricketer from "hero" to "zero".
Through his book, Dhawan offers a candid look into his personal and professional life, sharing his experiences, relationships, and the controversies he faced. "Cricket gave me purpose, but it was the journey with the highs, the falls, and the quiet moments, that truly shaped me as a man I am today," Dhawan writes, inviting readers to join him on his raw, honest, and unfiltered journey.
