Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, known for his flamboyant strokes on the field and ever-present smile, revealed a heartbreaking side of his life in a candid conversation on the ANI podcast. Beneath the cheerful facade, the 38-year-old cricketer has been grappling with a personal crisis that has left him emotionally scarred.
Dhawan confessed that he has not seen his 11-year-old son, Zoravar, for over two years and has been unable to speak to him for the past year following a tumultuous divorce. The batter, who once effortlessly smashed deliveries to the boundary, now struggles with the silence from his beloved child. “I have not seen my son for two years, and I haven’t been able to speak with him for the past year. I am blocked from everywhere,” Dhawan disclosed during the podcast, his voice heavy with pain.
The cricketer, who divorced his estranged wife Ayesha Mukherjee in 2023, opened up about the emotional toll the separation has taken on him. Despite his on-field heroics, Dhawan admitted that his heart aches every day for his son. “It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually,” he added, hinting at the depths of his grief.
The revelations have struck a chord with fans, who have often seen Dhawan as a symbol of resilience. His struggles highlight the often-overlooked emotional battles that athletes face beyond their professional arenas.
Dhawan’s legal and personal battles have been no secret. His divorce with Ayesha Mukherjee, a former kickboxer based in Australia, was publicly covered. The custody issues surrounding their son have further compounded Dhawan’s distress, leaving him with little recourse but to wait and hope.
In a world where cricketers are idolized for their sporting prowess, Dhawan’s vulnerability serves as a reminder that behind every cover drive is a human being battling their own challenges. The man who once wielded his bat like a sword now finds himself fighting an emotional war, hoping for the day he can reunite with his son.
While Dhawan continues to focus on his cricketing career, his heart remains with Zoravar. “I will wait patiently. He will come back to me when he understands everything,” the cricketer concluded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and hope.