Shikhar Dhawan retired from international cricket in August 2024 at the age of 38, but his personal life had already taken a difficult turn in the latter years of his career.
His marriage, which began in 2012, ended in 2021, and he also lost custody of his only child. His son, Zoravar Dhawan, lives with his mother in Australia, and their meetings have been rare.
Despite keeping busy with various franchise cricket commitments worldwide since retiring, Dhawan has not been able to meet his son in person. Opening up about his relationship with Zoravar, he shared how he copes with the distance.
“It has been two years since I’ve seen my son, and one year since I last spoke to him. It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually. Through affirmations, I feel like I’m conversing with him every day, hugging him. I put my energy into it spiritually—it’s the only way I can bring back my son. My sadness won’t help, so I manifest,” Dhawan shared.
“I already feel like I’m with him, speaking to him, playing with him. When I sit for meditation, I visualize those moments. My son is 11 years old now, but I have only spent about two and a half years with him,” he added.
Dhawan was one of India’s most prolific ODI batters, especially in ICC tournaments. In his ODI career, he played 167 matches, amassing 6,793 runs at an average of 44.11.
His aggressive stroke play and ability to deliver in crucial moments made him a key asset for India in global events, cementing his legacy as one of India’s finest white-ball openers.