In 2013, a left-handed batter walked out to bat in Mohali against Australia and smoked a bowling line-up with Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon to all parts of the ground and smacked a 187 on Test debut. It is still the fastest Test century on debut. His name - Shikhar Dhawan. Since then, he never looked back and went from strength to strength. He made a name for himself in ODIs, especially ICC Tournaments where he was India’s go-to man, even winning a Man of the Tournament award in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Dhawan's success extended to the IPL, where he became one of the most reliable and consistent batters. He is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, amassing 6,769 runs in 222 matches, just behind Virat Kohli on the all-time list. Dhawan also became the first batter in IPL history to score back-to-back centuries, achieving this remarkable feat in 2020. Since joining Punjab Kings in 2022, he has been a standout performer, both as a batter and as a leader. His consistent performances have been a key factor for the team over the last few seasons. As Dhawan bids farewell to his illustrious career, let’s revisit some of his finest performances in the IPL.

99* vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2023

This innings by Dhawan is one of the best in IPL history. Batting first, we lost Prabhsimran Singh on the first ball and found us in deep trouble at 22 for 3. Dhawan, the captain, took it upon himself to rebuild the innings. He remained calm and kept the scoreboard ticking, even as wickets kept falling at the other end. When we were reduced to 88 for 9, Dhawan put on a batting masterclass with the last batter, helping the team reach 143 runs. He finished unbeaten on 99, including 12 fours and 5 sixes. Though we lost the match as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down the target comfortably, Dhawan's effort earned him the Man of the Match award.

88* vs Chennai Super Kings, 2022

In 2022, Dhawan was in top form against Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, he started aggressively, attacking the Chennai bowlers from the get-go. Dhawan's unbeaten 88 off 59 balls, which included 9 fours and 2 sixes, powered us to 187 runs in 20 overs. His innings was instrumental in our 11-run victory over Chennai, and he deservedly won the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance.

62* vs Gujarat Titans, 2022

Dhawan showcased his ability to anchor an innings in this match against Gujarat Titans in 2022. After we restricted Gujarat to 143 runs, thanks to Kagiso Rabada's 4-wicket haul, Dhawan took charge of the chase. Despite losing Jonny Bairstow early, Dhawan held one end steady while Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Liam Livingstone accelerated the scoring. Dhawan's unbeaten 62 off 53 balls guided us to a comfortable win.

70 vs Mumbai Indians, 2022

Dhawan's knock against Mumbai Indians in 2022 was a display of his class and experience. Opening the batting, he gave us a solid start alongside Mayank Agarwal. Although Agarwal departed after a well-made 52, Dhawan continued to build on the momentum. His 70 off 50 balls, featuring 5 fours and 3 sixes, helped us post a competitive total of 198 runs. The team defended the total successfully, winning by 12 runs, with Odean Smith taking 4 wickets.

86* vs Rajasthan Royals, 2023

The rivalry with Rajasthan Royals has always been intense, and this game in 2023 was no exception. Batting first, Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh provided a strong start. While Prabhsimran scored a splendid 60, Dhawan stole the show with his unbeaten 86 off 56 balls, which included 9 fours and 3 sixes. We finished with 198 runs on the board, which proved to be just enough as they won the match by 5 runs.

70 vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2024

The 2024 IPL season saw Dhawan play fewer matches, but he still managed to deliver some outstanding performances. In a high-scoring match against Lucknow Super Giants, where Lucknow posted 199 runs, Dhawan once again led from the front. Opening the innings, he partnered with Jonny Bairstow and provided a strong start. Dhawan's 70 off 50 balls, filled with elegant strokes, kept us in the hunt. Unfortunately, his efforts weren't enough to chase down the target, and Lucknow won by 21 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan's contributions to the IPL and Punjab Kings will be remembered as some of the finest in the league's history. His ability to perform under pressure, lead from the front, and consistently deliver match-winning performances has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in IPL history. As Dhawan bids goodbye, all we can say is it has been a pleasure watching him bat and we wish him all the best.