Image: Shikhar Dhawan recalled India's 2013 Champions Trophy win, his award, and Kohli's celebration / © Times of India
In the 2013 Champions Trophy, Shikhar Dhawan was the standout performer for India, winning the Player of the Tournament award after scoring 363 runs at an average of 90.75. India, under MS Dhoni’s leadership, defeated England in the final to clinch the prestigious title. Dhawan reminisced about the joy of lifting the trophy with his teammates, describing it as a memory he will cherish forever.
He also recalled a funny moment involving Virat Kohli, who celebrated the victory by dancing to the viral song “Gangnam Style”, which left the team in splits. Kohli’s 43 runs in the rain-affected final were crucial to India’s success. Dhawan also mentioned scoring centuries against South Africa and the West Indies during the tournament but highlighted that the camaraderie and spirit in the dressing room were the most memorable aspects. He said:
Lifting the trophy with my teammates after such an intense tournament is one of those moments I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Honestly, it doesn’t get better than that! Another memory I’ll never forget is Virat’s Gangnam Style dance after the win—it was hilarious and had all of us laughing. I also scored a century in my comeback match against South Africa and another one against the West Indies. But what stands out the most to me is the time spent in the dressing room with the team—those moments of fun, discussions, and team spirit were truly special. I miss them and will keep them in my heart forever.
He expressed missing those moments and holding them close to his heart. The 2013 CT remains a special chapter for Dhawan, not just for his individual performances but for the collective joy and fun shared with his teammates, especially Kohli’s antics post-victory.