The Origin of the Name “Gabbar”
In a candid interview, Shikhar Dhawan shared the interesting story behind his famous nickname, “Gabbar.” He explained that the name originated during a Ranji Trophy match. Dhawan was fielding at silly point when the opposing team formed a strong partnership, leaving his teammates disheartened. To lighten the mood, Dhawan humorously shouted, “Bahut yaarana hai sugar ke bachche!” which caused everyone to burst into laughter. Impressed by Dhawan’s lightheartedness and sense of humor, the coach, Vijay, started calling him “Gabbar.” The name stuck, and over time, it became so popular that cricket fans around the world now affectionately refer to him as “Gabbar.”
A Heartfelt Goodbye
While announcing his retirement, Dhawan reflected on his cricketing journey, stating, “I had only one goal in my life, to play for India. I was very successful in achieving this, and for that, I want to thank many people. As they say, it is very important to turn the pages to move forward in the story, and I am also going to do the same. I have decided to retire from international and domestic cricket as well. Today, I have peace in my heart that I got the opportunity to play so many matches for my country. I also thank BCCI, the fans, and my coach.”
Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy, along with the story of how he became known as “Gabbar,” will continue to inspire cricket enthusiasts for years to come.