Shikhar Dhawan has always been known as someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, bold, charming, and brutally honest. In his recently released autobiography The One: Cricket, My Life and More, the former India opener opened up about a little-known chapter from his early cricketing days that involved a young romance, hotel room escapades, and an understandably annoyed roommate: Rohit Sharma.

Back in 2006, Dhawan was on an India A tour to Australia. It was meant to be a defining phase in his career, but what unfolded was a whirlwind of emotions as he fell head over heels for a woman he met at the airport upon arrival. “She was a tall brunette with sharp features. I looked at her and smiled; she smiled back,” Dhawan recalls in the book. “She looked divine... I thought to myself, ‘She is the one for me, and I’m going to marry her.’”

Soon, the two exchanged numbers, and what started as a casual interaction quickly escalated into a romantic relationship. Dhawan began meeting her regularly and even started bringing her into his hotel room, one he shared with none other than Rohit Sharma. “After every game, I would go over to meet up with Ellen (not her real name), and I soon started smuggling her into my hotel room. Now and then, Rohit would complain in Hindi: ‘Will you let me sleep?’”

Dhawan says his focus dipped during the 2006 tour because of a new relationship

While Dhawan was lost in the excitement of newfound love, his actions didn’t go unnoticed. One evening, while walking hand-in-hand with Ellen in the hotel lobby, the couple was spotted by a senior national selector. Soon, whispers turned into chatter, and the news of Dhawan’s girlfriend spread like wildfire within the team.

ALSO SEE: West Indian cricketer accused of sexual harassment amid WI vs AUS 2025 1st Test: Reports

Despite the growing attention, Dhawan didn’t see anything wrong in what he was doing. “It didn’t even occur to me that I should let go of her hand, because to me, we were committing no crime.” But Dhawan also reflected on the downside of that period. He candidly admitted that his focus on the field took a hit, and it may have cost him an early break into the Indian senior side.

“There was a good chance that if I had performed consistently on that tour, I would have made it to the senior Indian side, but my performance kept dipping.” Eventually, Dhawan did rise through the ranks and formed one of India’s most iconic opening partnerships in ODIs with none other than Rohit Sharma, the very roommate he once kept awake with his late-night love story.

Throughout his career, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India, scoring over 10,000 international runs. He particularly excelled in ICC  tournaments, earning the nickname ‘Mr ICC’ for his clutch performances in global events like the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2015 World Cup. Now retired from international cricket, Dhawan’s memoir offers fans a heartfelt and humorous window into the life of a man who always played and loved with passion.

Rohit Sharma is widely Rohit considered to be one of cricket's most stylish and vibrant batsmen. Praised for his free-flowing strokeplay and boundary-clearing capability, Rohit has been a mainstay of India's limited-overs side for many years. His six-hitting talent, particularly in the high-stakes atmosphere of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, has turned many games India's way.

As the T20 World Cup began in 2007, has been a regular feature, playing every edition a testament to his ability, fitness, and reliability. In these nine editions, Rohit has hit 50 sixes in total, the second-highest six-hitter in the history of the tournament after the West Indies' big hitter Chris Gayle.

This is a year-wise analysis of Rohit Sharma's sixes in T20 World Cups:

 ALSO SEE:'It won't be easy' - Former India skipper reflects upon chances of Rohit-Virat duo in ODI World Cup 2027

Watch the Video: 

All Rohit Sharma 50 sixes Compilation in T20I World Cup 720p50.pic.twitter.com/5obb2Wkled

— Zeref (@Techno3012) June 22, 2025

Stellar Career Batting Stats That Define Rohit Sharma

The one in 2024 was particularly special, where Rohit smashed a record 15 sixes, the most in any World Cup series. Rohit's overall batting figures even more reflect his great ability. In Tests, he has amassed 4,301 runs at 40.57, with 12 centuries. In One Day Internationals, he has more than 11,000 runs at an average of almost 49, with 32 hundreds. His T20I stats are not bad either, with 4,231 runs at a strike rate of over 140.

Aside from his batting prowess, Rohit is a powerful leader and finisher at crunch times. His composed nature and acutely intelligent cricket brain have led India through numerous key instances. His T20 World Cup record-breaking six-hitting not only thrills the audience but also solidifies his place among cricket's new legends.

Sourav Ganguly: 2027 World Cup Won’t Be Easy for Rohit and Kohli

Sourav Ganguly has said that the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup won’t be as easy for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as many people think. Their recent retirement from Test cricket just a week apart made headlines and gave fans hope that the two legends are saving their energy for one last World Cup. But Ganguly feels it’s not that simple.

By the time the next World Cup arrives, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit will be 40. Staying fit and match-ready at that age is tough. Even though they won’t be playing Tests or T20s anymore, Ganguly pointed out that they’ll still need to play around 27 ODIs before the tournament, and maybe even more if the schedule changes.

“It’s not going to be easy. Playing 15 ODIs a year is a lot,” Ganguly said. “I don’t need to give them advice they know the game well. But we all have to accept that one day, they will walk away from cricket, and the game will move on too.”

Ganguly predicts it's difficult for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma till 2027.

With only handful of matches every year now. Each match performance matters since there is a lot of competition nowpic.twitter.com/e6Ao5Gx76w

— Forever_ICT (@loyal_cskian) June 22, 2025

Besides ODIs, Rohit and Kohli will also play in the IPL. It may not directly help their ODI form, but staying on the field and playing competitive cricket will definitely help them stay sharp. Their decision to retire from Test cricket also makes sense. Rohit’s Test form had dipped, and Kohli struggled with balls outside off stump, especially in Australia. Playing all formats was becoming harder with age.

ALSO READ: Watch: MS Dhoni brings the cool in dettol’s icy cool summer campaign

Still, they are both very strong in ODIs. In the recent Champions Trophy, Kohli scored 218 runs with a century, while Rohit scored 180, including a vital 76 in the final. They also did well in the 2023 World Cup at home. With series in Australia and New Zealand coming up, it won’t be easy. But if they stay fit and focused, winning the 2027 World Cup could be the perfect way to end their amazing careers.

When Shubman Gill walks out for the toss with England captain Ben Stokes at Headingley on June 20, it will be a big moment for him. It will be his first time leading India in a Test match. This five-match Test series will also start a new chapter for Team India, with Gill taking over as captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement.

India last won a Test series in England back in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. Before that, they had memorable wins in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 1986 under Kapil Dev. Now, with Gill as captain, Kapil Dev feels confident that India can win again.

“Achha aur talented baccha hai – he’s a good and talented boy, and now he’s the captain of the Indian team,” Kapil said during an event by Three Sixty, held to celebrate his famous 175 runs not out against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. “I’m sure he will bring the trophy back. We are proud of him and the whole team. I hope they give their best and come back as winners.”

Shubman has played only three Tests in England so far, scoring 88 runs with an average of 14.66. But now he will have the big job of leading the team in tough conditions. With senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin retiring from Test cricket, the team now has a new look. Experienced names like Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and vice-captain Rishabh Pant are still there to support the youngsters.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND: Kapil Dev not happy with Pataudi Trophy getting a new name, says it feels a bit odd

Many new players will be playing in England for the first time Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep. All of them will be looking to make a mark in challenging English conditions. Kapil Dev said people should not call this team “inexperienced.” 

“Today they may not have much experience, but tomorrow they will. I believe this team can do something special. My only message to them is go out there, play freely, and enjoy the game,” Kapil said. Talking about Jasprit Bumrah, Kapil praised him highly. “He’s one of the best bowlers in the world. He knows what to do and how to win games. For me, the team is always more important than anything else,” he added.

England fast bowler Brydon Carse says India will still be a tough side to beat in the upcoming five-match Test series, even though big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired. Speaking in Leeds before the first Test at Headingley on June 20, Carse admitted that their absence is a big blow but believes India’s young players are more than ready to step up.

“Virat and Sharma have been world-class batters for many years. Of course, it’s a big loss for India,” Carse said. “But they’ve got a lot of talent coming through. I’m sure they’ll still put out a very strong team. We’re ready for the challenge.”

India, now captained by Shubman Gill, are going through a change, but Carse warned that their inexperience doesn’t make them any less dangerous. He also spoke about how England’s bowlers plan to attack the new-look Indian batting line-up. “No matter how good a batter is, the early part of the innings is always tricky. We’ll stick to our plans and try to get them out early,” he said.

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With senior bowlers like James Anderson retired and both Jofra Archer and Mark Wood out injured, Carse is expected to play a bigger role. He missed the Champions Trophy due to injury but is now fully fit and eager to make an impact even if it means taking the new ball.

“If I’m asked to take the new ball, I’d love to. It’s a big opportunity,” he said. “We’ve got a huge few months coming up first India, then the Ashes. These are the kind of games every cricketer dreams of playing.” Carse has already picked up 27 wickets in five away Tests and is now looking forward to playing his first Test at home and making it count against one of the best teams in the world.

India will take on England in a much awaited five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. This series begins the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. As the Men in Blue prepare for another tough challenge in England, let’s rewind and relive some of the finest batting efforts by Indian players on English soil in the 21st century.

Rahul Dravid (146 at The Oval, 2011)

The 2011 tour was a nightmare for India, ending in a 4-0 series defeat. But one man stood tall Rahul Dravid. Known as ‘The Wall’, Dravid was India’s best performer with the bat, scoring three centuries in the series. His unbeaten 146 runs at The Oval stood out. He opened the innings and carried his bat, facing 266 balls and hitting 20 boundaries in a historic day. Even though India lost the match and the series, Dravid’s fight and class shone through what he has and how he can play in crucial games.

Rohit Sharma (127 at The Oval, 2021)

Rohit Sharma answered all the questions about his overseas form with a calm and classy century at The Oval in 2021. In the fourth Test, India were 99 runs behind, and the pressure was on. But Rohit stayed focused, batted with patience, and scored a brilliant 127. His knock changed the course of the match and helped India take control. It was one of his best Test innings away from home.

KL Rahul (129 at Lord’s, 2021)

KL Rahul’s hundred at the Lord’s came in the second Test of the 2021 series. He, along with Rohit Sharma, gave India a strong start and pull down england, putting on 123 runs for the first wicket . Rahul’s knock of 129 came off 250 balls with 12 fours and a six. His calm and composed innings helped India post 364 in the first innings, and they went on to win the match by 151 runs. Scoring a century at Lord’s is always special and Rahul made it count.

Virat Kohli (149 at Edgbaston, 2018)

Before the 2018 series, critics discussed about Kohli’s ability to perform in England. He silenced them with a stunning 149 in the first Test at Edgbaston. India were in trouble at 54/2, but Kohli took charge and battled against the likes of Anderson and Broad. He smashed 22 fours and a six, fighting alone to keep India in the game. Though India lost the match by 31 runs and the series 4-1, Kohli’s knock is remembered as one of his finest away performances.

ALSO READ: What are the highest successful 200+ chases in Tests at Lord’s before SA vs AUS 2025 WTC final?

Ajinkya Rahane (103 at Lord’s, 2014)

India’s only win in the 2014 series came at Lord’s, thanks to a gutsy knock from Ajinkya Rahane. On a green, seaming pitch, Rahane scored a brave 103 off 154 balls. He hit 15 fours and a six, and stitched a crucial 90-run stand with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His century helped India post 295 in the first innings, and they went on to win the match by 95 runs. It remains one of India’s most memorable wins in the overseas games.

As India gets ready for this high-stakes series, these past performances remind us of the kind of courage and skill needed to succeed in England. From Dravid’s rock-solid defence to Rahane’s cool-headed knock at Lord’s, Indian batters have shown they can rise to the occasion. With a new WTC cycle kicking off, fans will be hoping for more such magic as India aim to make history once again.

At the launch of The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife , written by Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife Puja, Rohit Sharma shared a funny story from their 2012 tour to the West Indies. Both were part of the India A team back then, and this incident happened in Trinidad and Tobago.

Rohit brought up the moment and asked Pujara if it was mentioned in the book. Pujara smiled and said, “She knows about it, but not all the details.” When the host heard it wasn’t in the book, he asked them to share the full story.

Pujara said, “I’m a vegetarian, so one night around 11 pm, we went out looking for vegetarian food. We couldn’t find anything, but on our way back, I got mobbed by fans. I can’t share all the details, but that’s the story Rohit is talking about.”

Rohit laughed and added, “The moral of the story is Pujara can be very stubborn. We told him not to go out late at night, especially not after 9 pm in the West Indies. But he didn’t listen.”

#WATCH | Mumbai: At the launch of Indian Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara's wife Puja Pujara's book 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife', Indian Cricketer Rohit Sharma, says "...Since day one, my father has been a test cricket fan. He doesn't like this new age cricket. I still remember… pic.twitter.com/0hGpfieTaf

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2025

Rohit also praised Pujara for his fighting spirit. He said it was amazing how Pujara played over 100 Test matches despite having serious injuries in both knees at the start of his career. He remembered the early days of playing against Pujara, saying, “Our team meetings were all about how to get him out. If we didn’t get him early, we knew we’d probably lose.”

ALSO READ: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 2025: Team India touches down in London to an empty airport welcome

Rohit shared another memory from his teenage years: “I was 14 when I first played against him. I used to leave for matches looking normal and return home looking totally tanned and tired. My mom even asked me why I looked so different. I told her, ‘There’s this guy, Pujara, who just keeps batting for three days straight.’ That’s how strong his game was.” Pujara has played 103 Tests for India, scoring 7,195 runs with 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Though he hasn’t retired, his last Test was in June 2023.

Mumbai Indians are now just one win away from playing their 7th IPL final. The team has confirmed its place in Qualifier 2 by defeating Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in the eliminator match. In this match against Gujarat, all the batsmen from Mumbai scored runs in good rhythm. In which, especially with Rohit Sharma's innings of 81 runs, Mumbai proved successful in giving a target of 228 runs to Gujarat in this big match in IPL 2025.

As told to you, Mumbai batted first in this match and scored 227 runs in 20 overs on the scoreboard. In this, all the batsmen from Mumbai performed well. Rohit Sharma scored 81, Jonny Bairstow 47, Surya 33 and Tikal Verma played a quick innings of 25 runs. Due to which Mumbai was successful in giving a target of 228 runs in this eliminator match. However, this run chase did not start well for Gujarat. Because the team captain Shubman Gill returned to the pavilion after scoring just 1. But Sai Sudarshan definitely played an innings of 80 runs. Despite this, the team was able to score only 208 runs in its 20 overs. In this way Mumbai has won this match.

ALSO READ: Top 3 reasons why Gujarat Titans Lost to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 Eliminator

Match will be held with PBKS in Qualifier 2

Now if Mumbai Indians want to reach the final of this season, then they will also have to defeat Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2. Which is of course coming after a one-sided defeat against RCB in the last match. But Punjab has performed well throughout this IPL season. In this sense, it would not be wrong to say that it will not be easy for Mumbai to win this match against Punjab. This match will be played on June 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Twitter reactions after MI wins  Eliminator match of IPL 2025

MI beat GT in the Eliminator 🔥#MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/xXoKlvSGEl

— Dogesh (@dogesh_bhai) May 30, 2025

Maalik ki team ko jita diya #MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/pMUHy7HTdd

— Comedyculture.in (@ComedycultureIn) May 30, 2025

Boom Boom literally said jhuk ke rehna padega mere saamne #MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/4zWLTMToFy

— Comedyculture.in (@ComedycultureIn) May 30, 2025

#MIvGT #GTvMI
Congratulations 🎊 #MI . Well played by big match players like #RohitSharma𓃵 and #bumrah . The 🤡 #Gill let #GT down. pic.twitter.com/4JY8SCmtXl

— SK (@itssanatani) May 30, 2025

My GF asked me "where’s the TV remote?"

I said, "GT”

She replied, "what are you talking about?!"

I said, "Broken, Done & Dusted and out of the tournanent" 🫶#MIvsGT #GTvsMI #MIvGT pic.twitter.com/gghp8vWXmk

— kholiNati!0n_👑🚩 (@cryptoHolder09) May 30, 2025

"Tera payment aagaya na?"
"Haa bhai subah he"
"Mereko toh kal he" #MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/8J4KqpOxQu

— Souravage (@just_souravage) May 30, 2025

Only Guy Who can save Humanity. Just 2 wins 🥹#MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/APBEyC9Jxk

— Jeet (@JeetN25) May 30, 2025

"MI vs GT: When Mumbai Indians bring their A-game, but Gujarat Titans show up with a Z-game! 😜 Will MI's blue wave crash GT's party, or will the Titans yeet them out of the IPL? Grab your popcorn, this match is gonna be a meme-fest! 🍿😂 #MIvsGT #IPL2025" pic.twitter.com/62Q74dZvup

— Dr. Dipesh raj manhar (@DrDipeshraj1) May 30, 2025

Har problem ka ek solution, BOOM BOOM BUMRAH 🔥#GTvsMI #MIvsGT pic.twitter.com/l66EMhiyPl

— KOTH Gaming (@KOTHGaming_) May 30, 2025

now that MI won we all know how its gonna go 🙃🙃👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/prIo9mm3Ao

— momo (@biggbadvampire) May 30, 2025

As of the IPL 2025 playoffs on their way, Mumbai Indians (MI)  will be playing a crucial eliminator match in round 1 of the playoffs against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on 30 May 2025, Friday, at 7.30 PM IST. This is a crucial game, and pressure will be there. In an interview for Star Sports India, star Indian opener and MI's former captain, Rohit Sharma, elaborated on his mental preparations for this very important must-win match. The following highlights give us an insight into the mindset of a leading figure in cricket.

Rohit commented it was important to maintain a calm and focused approach, regardless of the stakes of the match. "Every game is important, but playoff games have something more to them," he said. "I try to keep it simple. I look at my recent performances, check for improvements, and look for strengths. It is simply a matter of being calm and trusting the process." This shows how Rohit handles pressure, which has been a hallmark of his leadership profile in cricket.

As part of his preparation for match day, Rohit described how he spends time reviewing his game. He stated that he watches the highlights of each match so he can review his dismissals and the deliveries he struggled against. "I always try to watch the highlights of every match," he said. "I can then see where I went wrong. Is it a delivery type, a bowler's plan, or my own mistake? I then noted where things went wrong and worked on them so I didn't repeat the same mistakes. It is about learning." Watching everything back in greater detail helps to improve his technique and execution.

Star Indian opener @ImRo45 opens up on how he analyzes his game ahead of the do-or-die #IPLPlayoffs clash vs #GT.

Will the #Hitman guide @mipaltan to victory? 💥🏏

Eliminator 👉 #GTvMI | 30 MAY, FRI, 6 PM on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/2vsQNQkcMy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 30, 2025

Also read: RCB creates another record in IPL 2025 with unprecedented batting feat

Today's Match: GT vs MI

This match against GT carries greater emphasis. Both teams have been battling all season, where they both finished No. 3 and 4 and will be fighting in a knockout situation ahead of the final. Therefore, Rohit's invaluable experience and ability to direct or learn and subsequently adapt according to the exigencies of the match situation will be of great value to MI. Rohit's focus on building partnerships and rotating the strike at MI will be vital for MI meeting the challenge at the top of the order.

While fans and experts wait for the encounter with bated breath, Rohit's energetic preparation in his mind is a testament of strength and mental toughness. The eliminator match against GT is as much about grit as it is about talent - and Rohit Sharma's mindset may be the key that tips the scale in this pressure cooker.

England's talismanic batsman Jos Buttler has praised Indian captain Rohit Sharma, describing himself as a "big Rohit fan" in an interview given to Kookaburra Cricket India recently. In reply to a question on which Indian cricketer has made the most impression on him over the past few years, Buttler didn't hesitate to mention the veteran Indian opener, citing both his leadership and batting skills as the key reasons for his admiration.

Rohit Sharma, the laid-back and strategic one, has evolved into a reliable leader of Team India. Ever since he became the full-time captain of the team, Rohit has guided India through all formats, guiding them through high-stakes series and tournaments alike with ease. His leadership has shown most prominently in ICC competitions and important bilateral series, where his calm strategy under duress has been a standout feature. Buttler also recognized these attributes, praising Rohit as both a player and a mature and composed captain.

Apart from his captaincy, Rohit's batting performances keep scaling his stature. Be it his five centuries in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup breaking records or his dominating performances at home and abroad in Tests and ODIs, Rohit has grown to be one of the most well-rounded openers in modern cricket. His capacity to change gears—stabilizing innings or taking off when needed—is making him the bane of bowlers across the globe.

Question: Which Indian cricketer has impressed you the most over the last few years? [Kookaburra Cricket India]

Jos Buttler said "Rohit sharma, in the way he has captained the country & I think the way he has played, I am a big rohit fan". pic.twitter.com/Cvd0b6sAVz

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 24, 2025

Also read:  IND vs ENG : India's strong playing xi for england tour

Mutual Respect Among Contemporary Greats

Buttler's comments are representative of the growing camaraderie and friendship between contemporary greats in cricket. Buttler and Rohit have faced each other many times in tough situations in matches, whether ICC or the IPL, and their continued success has garnered admiration from players and fans alike. As a key player in England's resurgence in white-ball (limited overs) cricket, Buttler knows that a strong captaincy requires deep thinking and the ability to turn matches around, and he sees this in Rohit.

As the cricket community turns its eye to the future series and an ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, cricket fans around the globe would love to see these two continue to lead their countries well. Buttler's comments reflect Rohit Sharma's enduring legacy—not just in Indian cricket, but globally—and it is nice to have that mutual respect from two greats.