187 Against Australia In Test Debut One Of My Best Knocks: Shikhar Dhawan

Updated - 25 May 2020, 04:04 PM

Team India, Shikhar Dhawan, Birthday, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara
Photo Credit: AFP.

Shikhar Dhawan’s first Test innings of 187 would always remain as one of the best debut innings ever witnessed. His 174-ball knock flattened Australia at the PCA stadium in Mohali in 2013 as Dhawan and Murali Vijay combined for an opening stand of 289. In an Instagram live session with the Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews, Shikhar Dhawan spoke about the same in detail.

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Having made his ODI debut in 2010, Shikhar Dhawan had grown as one of the best batsmen back then. With Virender Sehwag struggling at the top, the hosts decided to draft in Dhawan to partner Vijay. The southpaw responded by making 187 in only 174 balls, which consisted of 33 fours and two sixes. India eventually won the match by six wickets as Dhawan secured the man of the match award.

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan. Credits: Reuters.

While speaking to Angelo Mathews, Dhawan recalled that knock, saying it was one of his greatest. He admitted that it carried a lot of pressure playing against Australia and for an Asian team to have done it, it was a massive achievement. Dhawan reminisced that innings by saying that he was in a roll that day without realising that he created a made a record for the fastest hundred by a debutant (off 85 balls).

“That was one of the best innings and I played a knock of 187 in my debut Test, scoring against Australia is always a big thing coming from an Asian team, it always carries a lot of weightage, I enjoyed playing their fast bowlers and I enjoyed playing in Mohali. I was timing the ball so nicely, there was a rhythm to my innings, I did not know that I created a record for scoring the fastest century in the debut match.” the Delhi told Mathews said as quoted by Times of India.

Shikhar Dhawan last played an international match in January:

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (C) (Credits: Twitter)

The 34-year old last played for India in January in an ODI against Australia. In that same match, he had picked up a shoulder injury that forced him out of the tour of New Zealand. Dhawan would have been playing for Delhi Capitals currently if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in its postponement indefinitely.

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India National Cricket Team Shikhar Dhawan