- Shikhar Dhawan (2013) – 363 runs (with 2 centuries and 1 half century)
Another destructive batsman, Shikhar Dhawan, made his debut in the 2013 edition of the prestigious tournamnt. Playing in 5 innings, remaining unbeaten on one occasion, Dhawan had scored 363 runs at an average of 90.75, at a strike rate of 101.39 and 114 runs as his highest score.
The tournament opener of the previous edition was played between India and South Africa on 6th June 2013, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.
Put into bat, Team India led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, managed to put up a massive 331 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. This was backed by an excellent batting display by the opener Shikhar Dhawan, who in an innings of 159 minutes, facing 94 deliveries and sending the Kookaburra to the fence 12 times and once beyond, notched a very valuable 114 runs at 121.27 strike rate.
Dhawan’s impressive batting display coupled with his first-wicket partnership of 127 runs in 21.2 overs alongwith Rohit Sharma (65, 96m, 81b, 4*8, 1*6) and another 83-runs second-wicket partnership in 13.2 overs alongwith Virat Kohli (31, 46m, 41b, 4*2), helped India put up such a huge total.
Indian bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (7-0-49-2), Umesh Yadav (10-0-75-2), Ishant Sharma (8-0-66-2) and Ravindra Jadeja (9-1-31-2) were successful in restricting the opposition to 305/10 in 50 overs and helped Team India win the match by 26 runs.
Dhawan was awarded the ‘Player of the match’ for his scintillating knock.
Eventually Team India went on to win the Championship by defeating England by 5 runs in the final and also got to keep the trophy.
