For nearly a decade, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma formed one of the most formidable opening pairs in Indian cricket. The duo, who began their journey together as openers during the 2013 Champions Trophy, left an indelible mark on the sport, amassing runs and building an enduring friendship. As Dhawan steps back from the national team, he has shared some light-hearted and memorable moments of his camaraderie with Rohit Sharma, giving fans a glimpse of their off-field bond.
On the occasion of Friendship Day, Dhawan opened up about the playful side of his relationship with Rohit, particularly highlighting a fond memory involving a Punjabi song. “I have opened with him for 8-10 years, so I have a strong bond with him. He is a gem of a person,” Dhawan said in an interview with Star Sports.
Dhawan, known for his love of Punjabi music, recalled an inside joke that the two shared during their playing days. He often sang the song “putt jattan de bulaonde bakre” by the legendary singer Surinder Shinda while out in the middle. This song became a favorite of Rohit’s, who would join in with Dhawan, creating a joyful atmosphere even in the high-pressure environment of international cricket.
“Usse bada achha lagta tha jab mai ek gaana gaata tha pitch pe (he used to like it a lot whenever I sang one particular song), ‘putt jattan de bulaonde bakre’,” Dhawan shared. “So he would look at me and then sing the same song. It’s one moment that repeated often. He remembered a couple of lines from the song, which he used to sing and then laugh.”
Their partnership was not just about runs and records but also about the fun and camaraderie they shared. The Rohit-Dhawan duo is the fourth-most successful opening pair for India in ODIs, having amassed 5148 runs in 115 innings at an average of 45.55, including 18 century stands. Their consistency and ability to build strong starts were crucial for India’s successes over the years.
With the emergence of young talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian team has found new opening options in both the shorter format and red-ball cricket. However, the memories and performances of the Rohit-Dhawan era remain etched in the hearts of cricket fans.
Currently, Shikhar Dhawan is continuing his cricketing journey as the captain of Punjab Kings in the IPL. Even though he is away from the national team, his contributions and the moments he shared with his teammates, especially Rohit Sharma, continue to be cherished by fans and fellow players alike.
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