Shikhar Dhawan Names Steyn, Anderson as Toughest Rivals He Faced in International Cricket

Former Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who retired from international cricket in August of last year, has identified Dale Steyn of South Africa and James Anderson of England as the most challenging bowlers he encountered during his career. Dhawan shared his insights on the art of sledging in cricket during an interview in New Delhi.

Dhawan particularly emphasized the difficulties presented by Dale Steyn's fierce pace and intimidating presence on the pitch. Steyn was known for his aggressive approach, which tested batsmen both physically and mentally.

"Dale Steyn was always a tough one — he had raw pace, aggression, skill, and that fierce look!" Dhawan stated.

He also recognized James Anderson as another significant adversary. The English pacer was renowned for his ability to challenge batsmen through a combination of skill and psychological warfare.

"James Anderson too," Dhawan noted, highlighting the English bowler's capability to examine batsmen both verbally and with his bowling prowess.

Dhawan also offered his perspective on sledging, viewing it as an intrinsic part of the sport that could potentially enhance performance. He suggested that verbal exchanges could sometimes bring out the best in a player.

"As for sledging, it's part of the game. Sometimes, it's the sledging that brings out the best in you," he explained.

Known for his calm demeanor under pressure, Dhawan implied that verbal exchanges frequently acted as motivation rather than a distraction during matches. He seemed to thrive in high-pressure situations, using the opposition's tactics to fuel his own performance.

Dhawan's international cricket career spanned over a decade, where he displayed remarkable consistency across all formats.

His career statistics highlight his skill as a batsman. He played in 34 Test matches, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India.

Across his Test appearances, Dhawan scored 2315 runs. In ODIs, he recorded 6793 runs, and his T20I career resulted in 1579 runs.

Dhawan officially retired from professional cricket in August 2022, leaving behind a legacy of considerable contributions to Indian cricket across all three formats of the game.