Shikhar Dhawan has been one of India’s best and pleasing southpaw opening batsmen. His meaty front foot cover drive, cheeky approach towards the game and consistency has won him millions of fans all over the world. Fans always tend to look for a few pieces of Shikhar Dhawan jersey number and what does it signify.
In this comprehensive guide, you will find everything about his jersey number – its history, why he chooses it and how it became a part of his cricketing identity. The piece also describes his career path, key records, role in IPL, accomplishments and everything else you need to know about him —and the details are in simple language so anybody can understand.
Who Is Shikhar Dhawan?
Shikhar Dhawan is a left-handed opening batsman playing for India in international cricket. He has been a big-match player and is as nervous as an ice-warrior in the middle of a war zone when it comes to ICC events and has fared pretty well for India in his best years.
- Full Name: Shikhar Dhawan
- Nickname: Gabbar
- Role: Opening Batsman
- Batting Style: Left-Handed
- Teams: India, Delhi Capitals (IPL), Punjab Kings (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL), Delhi (Domestic)
Shikhar Dhawan Jersey Number
In Indian cricket, Shikhar Dhawan mostly sports the jersey number 42.
This number is printed on his ODI and T20I shirts. An opposing six believes: when I see a confident stance and the number on his back, along with that mustache.
Shikhar Dhawan Jersey Number Overview
| Category | Jersey Number |
|---|---|
| India ODI Jersey | 42 |
| India T20I Jersey | 42 |
| Old Domestic Jersey | Varied (Not fixed) |
| IPL Jersey | Depends on team (SRH, DC, PBKS) |
Why Does Shikhar Dhawan Wear Jersey Number 42?
A lot of fans are curious as to why Shikhar Dhawan chose the number 42. Although Dhawan has never publicly stated the reasons for this, a handful of reasons are popularly believed:
1. Personal Preference
It is upon the personal preference of many cricketers to have derived jersey numbers. Dhawan has been a huge fan of the single digit numerator and 42 ruled him for nearly all his international career.
2. Numerology & Luck
The Indian cricketers have a tendency to opt for numbers on basis of numerology or beliefs. While Dhawan hasn’t come out regarding this, a number of his fans think that 42 is a personal lucky figure for the opening batsman.
3. Identity on Field
Over time, the number 42 has seeped into Dhawan’s cricketing identity along with:
- MS Dhoni (7)
- Virat Kohli (18)
- Rohit Sharma (45)
Hence, with time Shikhar Dhawan jersey number 42 has become synonymous with his brand and identity.
Shikhar Dhawan Jersey Number in IPL
Dhawan’s jersey number for IPL teams may vary because franchise teams sometimes allocate different numbers.
Table: Shikhar Dhawan IPL Teams & Jersey Numbers
| IPL Team | Years | Jersey Number |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Daredevils / Delhi Capitals | Several seasons | Varies by season |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2013–2018 | Varies |
| Punjab Kings | 2022–Present | Number may change depending on squad registration |
His number 42 shirt for the Indian team though, is arguably more iconic.
Shikhar Dhawan: Career Journey

To understand all that number means, it helps to go from there into Dhawan’s career history with the number, which was present for a good bulk of his big breakthroughs.
Early Life & Domestic Cricket
Cricketing career Dhawan began playing cricket at the age of 12 and went on to make his first-class debut for Delhi in November 2011. He shot to limelight with his exploits in the Under-19 World Cup 2004 where he finished as the highest run getter.
He was one of the most exciting players in domestic cricket.
International Debut and Rise
Shikhar Dhawan had made his debut in 2010 but burst into prominence four years later in 2013.
2013 Champions Trophy: The Big Break
Dhawan’s performance in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy was nothing short of legendary.
He won:
- Player of the Tournament
- Most Runs in the Tournament
It was this event that thrust his number 42 jersey into the spotlight globally.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Major Achievements

Dhawan has been arguably India’s most successful batsman in ICC tournaments, at least in ODIs.
Major Achievements List
- Most runs in ICC Champions Trophy 2013
- Only Indian to score two consecutive ICC tournament hundreds
- Fastest century on Test debut by an Indian (187 runs off 174 balls)
- 6000+ runs in ODIs
- One of the most explosive hitters of boundaries that India has ever produced
- He led India in ODI and T20 series.
- Among the top IPL run-scorers
His uniform number has become synonymous with each of those accomplishments.
Shikhar Dhawan: Batting Style
Style of play: Dhawan is a bold and an aggressive batsman, who plays with his own style. His specialty includes:
- Powerful cover drives
- Pull shots
- Quick singles and doubles
- Strong performance in pressure situations
The team plays better on the day #42 is out there.
Shikhar Dhawan Records (Brief Table)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Hundreds | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 34+ | 2300+ | 7 | 5 |
| ODI | 167+ | 6700+ | 17 | 39 |
| T20I | 68+ | 1750+ | 0 | 11 |
Shikhar Dhawan Jersey Number: Fan Influence
Hearts grow around the numbers of jerseys,” he added. Like Dhoni’s 7 and Kohli’s 18, the number 42 that Dhawan wears is adored by fans.
In domestic tournaments, a lot of young cricketers play with number 42 to honour him.
Shikhar Dhawan in IPL and His Jersey Identity
Dhawan has been a key player for his sides in IPL:
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
He was part of SRH’s first IPL title in 2016.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Dhawan emerged as one of the highest run-scorers.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
As captain, he is also a mentor for young players.
A hat-trick of trophies is what I’m looking for.” He might have had three already IPL meets Team India Despite his kartoon kharacter on the back, including a caricature of him holding 42 – which would be great if that were always the case Then why change numbers in the first place?
Why Fans Search for “Shikhar Dhawan Jersey Number”?
This keyword is searched because:
- They admire Dhawan’s playing style
- They want to wear his jersey
- They want to find out what number he dons for India
- They identify with totems of cricket fortune
Thus, “Shikhar Dhawan jersey number” is a popular fan query.
Conclusion
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the finest and celebrated opening batsman the game has ever seen in Indian cricket. The way he has played, the positivity and leadership, hes been an inspiration.
The number 42 on his jersey has grown to be an integral part of Deandra’s cricket persona. To fans, the number signifies confidence, consistency and big-match performances.
Shikhar Dhawan When you have Shikhar Dhawan on the field, he always brings that positive energy with him – no matter for Team India or during the IPL and his No. 42 jersey number symbolises all of it!

