Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced the release of his debut autobiography titled 'The One' via an emotional Instagram reel. The post, a deeply personal and sentimental post, has touched the hearts of cricket fans all over the country who have been observing the journey of one of India's finest, most consistent, and charismatic openers. The reel brings out Dhawan's contemplative mood, presenting a glimpse into the emotional profundity of the book.

The release arrived with a caption by Dhawan, the 2013 Champions Trophy Player of the Tournament. “Not every win makes it to the highlights. Not every loss shows on the scoreboard. ‘The One’ is the story of all the in-betweens. Of learning, unlearning, and showing up every single time. This one’s from the heart,” he wrote. Dhawan also informed fans that the autobiography is now available for pre-order and ended his post with a folded-hands emoji, humbly asking for good wishes from his followers.

Dhawan, who made his international debut in October 2010 in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam, was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Clint McKay. However, he made a spectacular entry into Test cricket in 2013 when he smashed 187 off 174 balls in his debut innings against Australia in Mohali—a knock still remembered as one of the most explosive Test debuts by an Indian batter.

Dhawan Reflects on Highs, Lows, and Life Beyond Cricket in ‘The One’

The left-handed opener had earned a reputation for coming up big in the ICC tournaments. During MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Dhawan was crucial in India’s triumphant 2013 Champions Trophy campaign. In ICC ODI events throughout his career, he scored 1238 runs at an impressive average of 65.15, with six centuries, making him one of India's greatest big-match players.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shikhar Dhawan (@shikhardofficial)

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Shikhar Dhawan brought an end to his international career in August 2024. He played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is and scored 2315, 6793, and 1759 runs, respectively. His aggression and consistency at the top of the order won him respect and admiration across formats and fan bases. Even as Dhawan had his share of great moments on the field, his personal life was full of its own turmoil. He was married to Ayesha Mukherjee from 2012 to 2021, but the union ended in divorce, with the court ruling against mental cruelty caused by Ayesha as the reason for separation. The psychological toll went beyond the divorce, too, for Dhawan was not awarded permanent custody of his son, Zoravar.

Dhawan has often expressed his sorrow over being unable to spend time with Zoravar. The pain of separation and the challenges of navigating fatherhood from a distance became a deeply personal struggle. He has talked openly about these matters, making him even more endearing to fans who are touched by his honesty and vulnerability.

With 'The One,' Dhawan hopes to bring not only his victories but also the fights he engaged in away from the pitch. It is going to be an account of staying on top despite personal and professional disappointments—all presented in the very same, uncompromising voice of the man who never ceased to smile.