Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma formed one of the most iconic opening partnerships in ODI history, a duo that defined India’s white-ball dominance for nearly a decade. Their partnership began at the 2013 Champions Trophy, a decision made just a day before India’s opening match against South Africa. That last-minute call, taken by then-captain MS Dhoni, proved to be a masterstroke as the pair went on to amass 5148 runs together in ODIs at an average of 45.55 across 115 innings.
Their tally stands as the fourth-highest among opening pairs, trailing only behind legends like Sachin Tendulkar-Sourav Ganguly (6609), Adam Gilchrist-Matthew Hayden (5372), and Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes (5150). Shikhar Dhawan, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, reminisced about the fateful decision in a special series titled The Shikhar Dhawan Experience on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
“This opening pair decision was made just half a day before the match. At that time, I was new, and I was in my own world. I had made a comeback and needed to perform well. But MS Dhoni took this decision and instructed Rohit to open,” Shikhar Dhawan recalled.
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The move paid immediate dividends. In their first innings as openers, Dhawan and Rohit stitched together a crucial 127-run stand. Dhawan remembers that day vividly.
He added, “I thought if Rohit opens, we’ll enjoy batting together. We got such a great start in the first match. We were at 100 without losing a wicket. We didn’t score 30-35 runs in the first 10 overs because the wicket was seaming. But I never imagined that our partnership would become so massive and last for 10 years.”
Beyond their on-field success, Dhawan also praised Rohit’s evolution as India’s captain. “From 2013 to 2025, 12 years of experience is a lot. Rohit has been through a lot. He knows how to handle pressure situations and how to guide the team. As a leader, he has matured significantly, balancing leniency and discipline perfectly. His bond with the players is amazing, and we are in a great position,” Dhawan added.
The camaraderie between the two goes beyond cricket. Their friendship dates back to their teenage years, playing together at the U-19 level.
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“We trust each other and our understanding was always very strong. Whether on the field or off it, our bond remained the same. We played together, celebrated victories together, and formed a solid team. Even before representing India, I remember playing with Rohit when he was just 16-17 years old. We’ve been friends since then, and that connection remains,” Shikhar Dhawan shared.
Their partnership may have ended on the field, but the legacy of Rohit and Dhawan as one of India’s greatest opening pairs will be remembered for generations.
