“This book is not just about runs or rivalries. It is about falling, learning, and moving ahead — even when millions are watching.” — Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most popular cricketers, opens up in his memoir, The One: Cricket, My Life and More. Released by HarperCollins India on June 26, 2025, the book follows Dhawan’s path from Delhi’s local cricket fields to the global stage. Along the way, it reveals a mix of personal hardship, inner change, and success.
Dhawan doesn’t just talk about runs and matches. He shares moments of fear, loss, and doubt. Through stories, memories, and inputs from fellow players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Yuvraj Singh, Dhawan presents a sharp and honest look at his life.
📌 Why This Memoir Matters in 2025
The book launched on June 26, 2025, and gained attention in both cricket and publishing circles. As more public figures speak about mental health, Dhawan’s open tone adds something new to cricket writing.
This isn’t just a sports story. It’s a record of personal change and the stress of living in the spotlight. The book appeals to sports fans, young readers, and anyone curious about the human side of fame.
Think of this book as Dhawan removing his helmet and pads — not to celebrate a century, but to show the bruises underneath. It’s not about stats; it’s about the person behind the swagger.
📖 About the Book: “The One”
The story begins with Dhawan’s early days as a wicketkeeper in Delhi. It tracks how he became one of India’s top left-handed openers. The book doesn’t avoid the hard parts. It accepts them and explains how they shaped him.
Key aspects covered in the memoir include his rise through domestic cricket, the pressures of international fame, personal setbacks including his divorce, and his journey toward mental wellness and self-acceptance.
🌟 Major Highlights from the Autobiography
Dhawan writes with energy, detail, and emotion. The memoir covers several compelling areas:
- Rise Through the Ranks: Early cricket lessons in Delhi, led by dedicated coaches; the shift from wicketkeeping to attacking batting
- Personal Setbacks & Mental Health: Honest thoughts on being dropped from the team; stories of self-doubt, anxiety, and pressure management; life as a father during a public divorce
- Behind the Dressing Room Doors: Jokes and trust shared with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli; surviving high-stakes tours, especially in Australia
- Turning Point in Australia: An off-field incident forces him to reflect; marks the start of a more thoughtful, steady phase of life
Dhawan’s nickname “Gabbar” suggests aggression and fearlessness. But this book reveals a different side — vulnerability, doubt, and the courage to change. Can public personas ever fully represent the private person?
🗣️ What Fellow Cricketers Say
The memoir includes reflections from some of Indian cricket’s biggest names:
| Cricketer | What They Said |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | “Shikhar has always been a fighter — on and off the field.” |
| Yuvraj Singh | “This book shows the real Gabbar. Strong, funny, full of heart.” |
| Harbhajan Singh | “We’ve had our moments, but reading this showed me how far he’s come.” |
| Sachin Sharma (HarperCollins) | “Shikhar opens up about everything — cricket, relationships, setbacks — and shows how he kept going.” |
Key Point: Four prominent voices feature in the book — Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Rohit Sharma — offering personal memories and reflections on Dhawan’s character.
💪 Themes of Resilience and Reinvention
This memoir is more than a list of matches. It maps the growth of a person shaped by loss, mistakes, and pressure. Dhawan’s shift from flash to focus shows up across several key themes:
🧠 Mental Health in Sports: He admits to long spells of anxiety and self-doubt. His writing adds to a wider shift in sport where more players, like Naomi Osaka and Ben Stokes, have spoken up about mental health.
🔄 Identity Reclamation: After his divorce and time away from cricket, he tried to reconnect with other parts of himself: father, public figure, and person.
🌍 Relevance Beyond Cricket: The story of rebuilding life after failure matters to anyone — not just cricket fans. It shows how hard it is to stay honest, change, and try again.
Don’t confuse: This is NOT a cricket statistics book or match-by-match record. “The One” is an introspective memoir focusing on personal transformation, mental health, and life lessons — published by HarperCollins India (not a sports publisher).
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The One: Cricket, My Life and More was released on June 26, 2025, by HarperCollins India.
HarperCollins India is the publisher of Shikhar Dhawan’s autobiography The One.
Shikhar Dhawan began his cricket career in Delhi, initially as a wicketkeeper before becoming an opening batsman.
The book primarily focuses on resilience, personal transformation, and mental health awareness rather than match statistics.
Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Rohit Sharma share their perspectives on Dhawan in the book.
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