Shikhar Dhawan Shares Humorous Memoir Anecdote About Smuggling Girlfriend

A Glimpse into Shikhar Dhawan's Life

Former Indian opener and charismatic batsman Shikhar Dhawan has shared a humorous and audacious story from his cricketing journey. Known for his candid nature and engaging personality, Dhawan's charm has been a hallmark of his career.

The retired left-handed batsman, celebrated for his dynamic and stylish approach to the game, has made a name for himself as one of the most effective openers in limited-overs cricket, often providing explosive starts and challenging bowlers with his fearless batting.

Memorable Anecdote from His Memoir

In his recently published memoir, 'The One: Cricket, My Life and More', Dhawan recounts a cheeky incident involving his girlfriend, whom he humorously 'smuggled' into the hotel room he shared with teammate Rohit Sharma during an India A tour in Dubai.

He reminisced, "She was stunning, and I found myself falling in love again! I thought, 'She is the one for me, and I will marry her,'" as he detailed in his autobiography, as reported by a sports publication.

Dhawan continued, "I started the tour well with a half-century in a practice match. After each game, I would sneak away to meet Ellen (a pseudonym), and I began bringing her into my hotel room, much to Rohit's annoyance. He would often complain in Hindi, 'Will you let me sleep?'"

Strong Bond with Rohit Sharma

Dhawan and Sharma have been teammates for over a decade, with Dhawan's last international appearance occurring in an ODI against Bangladesh in 2022. They shared hotel accommodations during their early tours, fostering a strong friendship both on and off the field.

Together, they form one of the most successful opening partnerships in ODI history, accumulating 5148 runs, including 15 centuries and 18 fifties, with an impressive average of 45.55 across 115 matches.

Relationship News Goes Viral

Discussing his girlfriend, Dhawan noted that news of their relationship quickly spread within the team. A national selector reportedly spotted them walking hand-in-hand, but Dhawan insisted they had done nothing wrong.

"One evening, while dining with Ellen, the news of her presence circulated rapidly among the squad. A senior national selector saw us in the lobby holding hands," he wrote.

"It never crossed my mind to let go of her hand, as we were not committing any offense. I believed that if I had performed consistently during that Australia tour, I could have made it to the senior Indian team, but my performance fluctuated," he added.

Dhawan's Cricketing Career

Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in August of the previous year, concluding a remarkable career. He played 269 matches for India, scoring 10,867 runs, which included 24 fifties and 55 centuries, with an average of 39.66.

His success in ODI cricket was notable, amassing 6,793 runs, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties, at an average of 44.11 across 167 matches.