Arguably one of the most fearsome opening batters in the world, he has played a pivotal role in India's cricketing success in the last eight years. Yet, Shikhar Dhawan wasn't included in the Indian squad for this World Cup. You'd think then that the swashbuckling Jat would be having something of a meltdown. But sitting in the balcony of his 21st floor condominium at the opulent DLF Magnolias in Gurgaon, Dhawan is amazingly calm and completely unfazed by all the negative attention.
In fact, the affable cricketer is quite content with himself and how his professional life has panned out. Dhawan, who turns 38 in December, understands better than anyone else that his career has entered its twilight zone. And rather than brood over it, he has been a vocal supporter of the new talent (even though he still holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in test debut) that has replaced him. He's also been indulging in various activities to combat cricket withdrawals.
It starts with a practised love of spirituality and a strong belief in Sufism that he's been exercising for a few years now. It's possibly the secret sauce of his ever-smiling persona, which helps him sustain the pressures of the (cricketing) world, especially at times when he has been overlooked for Team India despite performing well on the domestic front.
"Even at that time, I was able to handle all the pressure well since listening to Sufi songs taught me to treat success and setbacks in the same manner," he says. Today, Sufism is a way of life for the masterstroke player who lives by the philosophy of 'making the now the primary focus of one's life'.
In an exclusive interview with Man's World, Dhawan speaks about cricket, life and everything in between. Excerpts:
What is your current state of mind?
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Man's World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Man's World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers
