Indian cricket veteran Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, marking the end of a remarkable career. While the news of his retirement has sent waves across the cricketing community, Dhawan’s thoughts were firmly with his 11-year-old son Zoraver, with whom he has had no contact for a significant period.
In a heartfelt message shared during an interview with the Hindustan Times, Dhawan expressed his deep longing for his son to learn about his retirement and his cricketing journey, despite their estrangement. “Zoravar is 11 now. I hope he gets to know about my retirement and all about my cricket journey. But more than as a cricketer, I would like for Zoraver to remember me as a good human being who does good deeds and brings positivity to people around him,” Dhawan shared.
Dhawan’s son Zoraver resides in Australia with Dhawan’s ex-wife, Ayesha Mukherjee. The separation from his son has been a challenging and emotional experience for Dhawan, who has often spoken about the pain of not being able to see Zoraver grow up. His hope that Zoraver might learn about his retirement through social media underscores the distance between the two, both geographically and emotionally.
A Father’s Unwavering Love
This isn’t the first time Dhawan has opened up about his longing for his son. Last year, he took to Instagram to share an emotional birthday post for Zoraver, highlighting the painful reality of being unable to see him in person. Along with a screenshot of an old video call, Dhawan wrote, “It’s been a year since I saw you in person, and now, for almost three months, I’ve been blocked from everywhere… Even if I can’t connect with you directly, I connect with you through Telepathy.”
Despite the physical separation, Dhawan continues to reach out to Zoraver daily, albeit through messages he knows might not be read. His words reflected his hope and positivity: “Papa always misses you and loves you. He’s always positive, waiting with a smile for the time when we will meet again by the Grace of God. Be naughty but not destructive, be a giver, be humble, compassionate, patient, and strong.”
The End of a Glorious Career
Shikhar Dhawan last played for India in December 2022 during a series against Bangladesh, after which he was replaced by rising star Shubman Gill in the white-ball formats. Known for his aggressive batting style and match-winning performances, Dhawan’s career has been nothing short of illustrious, with memorable moments that will remain etched in the minds of cricket fans worldwide.
As he hangs up his boots, Dhawan’s thoughts are clearly with his family, especially his son. The cricketer hopes that one day, Zoraver will not only learn about his retirement but also understand the legacy Dhawan leaves behind—not just as a cricketer, but as a father who has always yearned for his son’s presence and love.
Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, but his personal journey and the emotional messages he continues to send to Zoraver add a poignant chapter to his storied life.
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