Power hitter on a roll

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Shikhar Dhawan’s long impending Test debut may have seen many seasons go by, but the grand style with which he announced his arrival — scoring the fastest-ever debut ton, 187 off 174 balls against Australia in Mohali this March — not many would have complained to be in his place.

The 27-year-old never allowed his ambition to play for the country fade even as his team mates from the junior days surged ahead. “Everything has fallen into place, it happened at the right time,” Dhawan, recuperating from a knuckle injury in Melbourne, told this paper this week matter-of-factly.
“I was always happy in life and was never depressed. I always motivated myself and knew that my chance will come. When my performance dipped, I knew I had to perform well to stake a claim in the side full of the top players in the country. So far, I have enjoyed my journey,” he says.
Dhawan’s arrival on the national cricket scenario has added a dash of style. With his tattoos, moustache, stubble, earring, he alongwith Delhi teammate Virat Kohli represents the breed who like to flaunt their style.
“When he came to me as an 11-year-old, he was like any other boy. As far as I remember, it was after he represented India in the U-19 World Cup in 2004 that he started experimenting with his style. And I don’t remember seeing him clean-shaven many times,” says Dhawan’s Delhi-based coach Madan Sharma.
Dhawan says he follows his urge. “The idea to sport a beard and a moustache came just like that. Similarly with the tattoos. I have had tattoos since I was 15 or 16 years old. Whenever there is an urge for another one, I will get another done. But I like the ones which have some meanings,” says Dhawan, who has got himself inked five times and has a special liking for the one on his wrist — his wife’s name, and one on his shoulder — a tiger’s face.
His marriage to a much older Melbourne-based divorcee Aesha Mukherjee may have been questioned by some but post his stupendous debut, Aesha is slowly emerging as one of the hottest cricket WAGs.
“My wife and daughter brought me luck. She is a pretty sporty kind who likes to keep herself fit with training, and is very keen on watching cricket.”
Aesha, indeed, is fond of watching the game as she was regularly seen sitting in the stands during the last domestic season and even practicing with her hubby after the end of day’s play.
Dhawan is a proud owner of a Hayabusa, which he drives whenever he is in Delhi. He says he will continue driving on Delhi roads despite his rising popularity. He says nonchalantly, “Helmet me mujhe kaun pehchanega.” And the popularity is not just back home. “Earlier, they knew me in India but now even the Australian public recognised me,” he said.
He has his distinct style, but as far clothes go, Dhawan is not label-conscious. “My favourite brand? Whatever suits me becomes my favourite. I like wearing smart casuals, Pathani suits.”
Dhawan says his prayers regularly at the Bangla Sahib gurudwara in Delhi and the Golden Temple in Amritsar and hopes the Almighty keeps blessing him.