Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has opened up on his struggles after his divorce, sharing that it has been two years since he last saw his son, Zoravar, and over a year since he last spoke to him as well. Dhawan and his estranged wife, Aesha Mukherjee, divorced in October 2023 after 11 years of marriage as well. The cricketer married Aesha, who has two daughters from her previous marriage, in 2011, but their relationship ended after a difficult few years as well.

A Delhi court that granted Shikhar Dhawan’s divorce noted that he had endured mental distress due to his ex-wife, who had kept him separated from his only son for years now as well. The court also shared that Aesha either did not contest these allegations or failed to defend herself as well. Despite this, Dhawan was unable to get the permanent custody of Zoravar. The court granted him visitation rights and allowed video calls for a ‘reasonable period’ in both India and Australia, where his estranged wife and family live.

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In a recent interview with ANI, Dhawan revealed, “I want him to be happy and healthy. I still message him every three or four days, even though I am blocked. I don’t expect him to read them. I don’t mind if he doesn’t read them—it is my job to reach out. I will keep doing it. It has been two years since I have seen my son, one year since I last spoke to him. It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually… I feel through affirmations that I am conversing with him every day, hugging him. I put my energy into it spiritually. It is the only way I can bring back my son.”

“I already feel that I am with him, speaking to him, playing with him. When I sit for my meditation, I visualise those things,” he added. “My son is 11 years old now, but I have only seen him for two-and-a-half years of his life.”

Since announcing his retirement from all formats of cricket in 2024, Shikhar Dhawan has been focusing on playing in T20 leagues for retired players as well. He became emotional when announcing his retirement public, saying that he wanted his son to know about his father’s decorated career as well.