Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has opened up about his early cricketing journey and his first interaction with then-India captain MS Dhoni in his recently released memoir, “The One: Cricket, My Life and More.” The left-hander recalled meeting Dhoni during his debut ODI series in 2010, sharing a light-hearted and memorable exchange.
“I told him he looked like a film star with his long hair and effortless smile. While we were discussing my motivation, I suddenly said, ‘I want to play for India and make you a Bollywood hero!’ He just threw his head back and laughed,” Dhawan wrote, as quoted by PTI.
Early Days and the Social Media Landscape
Dhawan, who represented India in 34 Tests (2,315 runs), 167 ODIs (6,793 runs), and 68 T20Is (1,759 runs), reflected on the media environment during his early career. At the time, social media was still in its infancy, and scrutiny of players was far less intense than today.
“When I was trying to break into the Indian team, social media didn’t have much of a role. But print and broadcast media were booming, and cricket performances were analysed extensively. Unlike today, where a player can go from ‘hero’ to ‘zero’ overnight online, back then, public opinion took longer to form or shift,” he noted.
Nervous Energy and a Forgettable Debut
Dhawan recalled the buildup to his much-anticipated debut in the three-match ODI series against Australia. However, two of the matches—at Kochi and Margao—were washed out due to rain.
“Before the first game in Kochi, I was so full of nervous energy that I couldn’t sleep the entire night. But in the morning, it was pouring. No match took place, and all that adrenaline went to waste,” he recounted.
Ahead of the second ODI in Visakhapatnam, Dhawan decided to take a sleeping pill to calm his nerves. “I didn’t want a repeat of the first night. I thought getting proper sleep was crucial for my performance,” he explained.
A Tough Start
The match finally got underway, with India winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Australia posted a total of 289 runs. Dhawan opened the batting with Murali Vijay, but his debut innings lasted just two balls, as he was bowled out for a duck by Clint McKay in the very first over.
“I walked off smiling, but deep down, I was furious with myself. I had visualized that debut moment countless times—playing beautiful shots, scoring big runs for India. But the reality was far from what I had imagined, and it was hard to accept,” Dhawan wrote.
Through candid anecdotes and honest reflection, Dhawan’s memoir offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a cricketer’s emotional journey—from dreams and anxiety to setbacks and personal growth.