There’s a reason Shikhar Dhawan has long stood out among Indian cricketers. It’s not just the swashbuckling strokeplay or the signature ‘thigh-five’ celebration—it’s his unabashed flamboyance, his self-deprecating wit, and a layered personality that walks the line between the street-smart Delhi lad and the deeply introspective seeker. In The One – Cricket, My Life and More, Shikhar Dhawan offers a candid, charming, and at times chaotic look at his personal and professional journey.
This is not your typical sports memoir obsessed with records and rivalries. Instead, Dhawan gives readers an intimate peek into the making of ‘Gabbar’, the boy from Vikaspuri who carved his place in the Indian team—not by smooth ascension but through heartbreaks, humility, and hustle.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Menace
Dhawan’s memoir kicks off not with cricket but with mischief—a deliberate choice that mirrors his personality. From blowing up mailboxes post-Diwali to climbing out of padlocked apartments using makeshift sari ropes, his early escapades are told with such theatrical glee that one can’t help but chuckle and grimace at the same time.
These anecdotes aren’t mere comic relief—they form the book’s backbone. Dhawan is building a theme: resilience born not from structure, but from chaos. His childhood chaos isn’t romanticized, but it’s treated with affection and self-awareness. There’s a boyish wonder in how he recalls the trials of being a lovable rascal who gradually discovered a passion that would tame him—cricket.
The Cricketing Odyssey: From Rejection to Redemption
Dhawan’s cricketing career is laid out chronologically, but never dryly. His tone remains conversational, even when recounting formative setbacks—being dropped from the India U-16 squad, being overlooked for two years in India A, or being told to become a ‘murga’ for watching Titanic.
What stands out is the sincerity with which Dhawan revisits these humiliations. His honesty becomes his greatest strength as a narrator. He admits to crying in the back of a car after a rejection. He recalls the sting of being slapped by his coach Tarak Sinha after scoring a 70 when he could’ve scored a century. But most importantly, he treats each moment as a lesson, not a lament.
As readers, we’re not merely watching a sportsman rise through the ranks—we’re watching a young man evolve emotionally, learning to cope with competition, injustice, public scrutiny, and his own fluctuating sense of worth.
On the Big Stage: The Blue Jersey and the Burden of Fame
When Shikhar Dhawan finally breaks into the national team, The One shifts gears—offering readers ringside seats to some of Indian cricket’s most iconic moments. His debut Test hundred against Australia, his golden run in the 2013 Champions Trophy, and his bromance with Rohit Sharma are covered with flair and fondness.
But even here, Dhawan doesn’t shy away from vulnerability. He addresses form slumps, the peculiar pain of being a “twelfth man” despite strong performances, and the media’s love-hate relationship with his flamboyance. One of the most telling passages involves his struggle to accept the end of his international career. He doesn’t mask his disappointment or rationalize it—it stings, and he lets it sting.
That openness, rarely seen in sports memoirs, is where The One by Shikhar Dhawan triumphs.
Life Beyond the Pitch: Fatherhood, Fame, and Falling Short
Dhawan’s off-field chapters are perhaps the most revealing. He talks candidly about his relationship with his ex-wife, the challenges of long-distance fatherhood, and the emotional toll of separation. He doesn’t paint himself as a hero nor his partner as a villain. Instead, he reflects with the maturity of someone who has learned that love, like cricket, requires patience, timing, and effort.
His foray into spirituality, his experimentation with social media, and his desire to give back through the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation are not afterthoughts. They’re positioned as continuations of his journey—a man who’s trying to find balance between performance and presence, celebrity and authenticity.
Writing Style: Easy, Witty, and Earnestly Dhawan
The prose style mimics Dhawan’s public persona—easygoing, sometimes verbose, always entertaining. The sentences are short, packed with idiomatic expressions and colloquial touches. There are moments when the book meanders, with digressions about family members, school days, or video game addictions. But even these tangents carry the warmth of a well-told story by a trusted friend.
At times, the structure feels loose—more like a collection of vivid vignettes than a tightly-plotted memoir. But this seems intentional. Dhawan isn’t trying to craft a literary masterpiece. He’s letting readers into his living room, offering tea, and chatting about life.
Strengths of The One
- Honest Vulnerability: The book’s defining feature is its emotional honesty. Whether it’s about personal loss, professional failure, or public humiliation, Dhawan refuses to sugarcoat his experiences.
- Relatable and Rooted: Despite his fame, Dhawan comes across as achingly human. His struggles with schooling, societal expectations, and middle-class values will resonate deeply with Indian readers.
- Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses: His accounts of dressing room dynamics, IPL stardom, and mentorship by legends like Sachin Tendulkar offer a peek into a usually guarded world.
- Narrative Flair: Dhawan has a natural storytelling gift. His mischievous tone, humorous self-deprecation, and poetic reflections (especially in the final chapters) lend the book a refreshing texture.
Limitations of the Memoir
- Loose Editing and Overstuffing: Some chapters are uneven in pace, with anecdotes stretching longer than necessary. A tighter structure would’ve enhanced the narrative flow.
- Lack of Deeper Cricketing Strategy: While the emotional side of matches is explored, the book rarely delves into technical cricketing insights or tactical decisions. Those looking for match dissection may be left wanting.
- Missing Voices of Others: The memoir is a solo act. Inclusion of reflections from teammates, coaches, or family members could’ve added contrasting perspectives and deepened certain emotional beats.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
If The One by Shikhar Dhawan intrigues you, you might also enjoy:
- Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar – A legend’s legacy told with stately grace.
- 281 and Beyond by VVS Laxman – For a deeper dive into the mental pressures of modern cricket.
- No Spin by Shane Warne – Witty, unfiltered, and full of flair—much like Dhawan himself.
- The Test of My Life by Yuvraj Singh – A raw, emotional account of resilience in life and sport.
Final Verdict: More Than Just a Cricket Book
The One – Cricket, My Life and More by Shikhar Dhawan is not just a chronicle of runs and records. It’s a book about choices, consequences, courage, and connection. Shikhar Dhawan bares his heart—not to gain sympathy but to remind readers that failure is not an opposite of success, but its twin sibling.
In an age where sports stars are heavily media-trained and guarded, Dhawan’s honesty is disarming. This memoir will appeal not just to cricket fans but to anyone who’s ever dared to dream, stumbled, and dared again.
Whether you remember him for that explosive debut in Mohali, the ‘Gabbar’ moustache twirl, or his spirited presence in the IPL, The One ensures you’ll walk away remembering something else too—his heart.