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 in June 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.
📑 Table of Contents
📌 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.
📖 About the Book: “The One” by Shikhar Dhawan
- Title: The One: Cricket, My Life and More
- Author: Shikhar Dhawan
- Publisher: HarperCollins India
- Release Date: June 26, 2025
- Genre: Autobiography, Sports Memoir
- Theme: Self-reflection, setbacks, and personal growth
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.
🌟 Major Highlights from the Autobiography
Dhawan writes with energy, detail, and emotion. Here are key moments from the book:
- 🏏 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 trying to stay calm under pressure
- 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
🗣️ What Fellow Cricketers Say
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.”
Publisher’s Note (Sachin Sharma, HarperCollins): “Shikhar opens up about everything—cricket, relationships, setbacks—and shows how he kept going.”
💪 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.
❓ FAQs
- What is Shikhar Dhawan’s book called?
The One: Cricket, My Life and More, published by HarperCollins India on June 26, 2025. - How is this different from other cricket biographies?
This book talks less about wins and more about emotions, fear, and growth. It’s a personal story, not a match diary. - Who are the other voices in the book?
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh each offer personal memories and remarks. - Does the book talk about his private life?
Yes. He writes about divorce, parenting, and the pressure of being in the public eye. - Where can I read or buy it?
Available via HarperCollins India, Amazon India, Flipkart, and bookstores across India.
Recommended External Links
- HarperCollins India – Shikhar Dhawan’s Author Page
- BCCI – Official Profile: Shikhar Dhawan
- ICC Player Stats – Shikhar Dhawan
✅ Conclusion: A Must-Read for Cricket Fans
The One is not just about runs or rivalries. It’s a story about mistakes, growth, and staying honest under pressure. Dhawan’s writing is sharp and human. His honesty makes this book stand out.
Whether you follow cricket or not, this book offers something real. It’s about falling, learning, and moving ahead—even when millions are watching.
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Key Takeaways Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Book Title | The One: Cricket, My Life and More |
| Author | Shikhar Dhawan |
| Publisher & Release | HarperCollins India, released on June 26, 2025 |
| Genre | Sports Memoir, Autobiography |
| Core Themes | Resilience, personal transformation, mental health, fatherhood, fame pressure |
| Why It Matters in 2025 | Reflects the growing conversation on mental health in sports; offers a rare honest self-portrait of a cricketing icon |
| Career Journey | Tracks Dhawan’s path from Delhi’s streets to global cricket, including his transition from wicketkeeper to opening batsman |
| Personal Setbacks | Covers divorce, public criticism, anxiety, and team exclusions; shows how he rebuilt his identity |
| Behind-the-Scenes Insights | Shares real dressing room camaraderie and experiences from high-pressure tours, especially Australia |
| Turning Point | An off-field incident in Australia prompted deep self-reflection and marked a phase of inner steadiness |
| Fellow Cricketer Voices | Includes reflections from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh |
| Broader Appeal | Goes beyond cricket fans—offers life lessons on handling setbacks, staying grounded, and self-discovery |
| Mental Health Focus | Adds to the wider narrative around athlete well-being (alongside global names like Naomi Osaka and Ben Stokes) |
| Unique Value | Not just a cricket book—it’s a raw, real, and relatable memoir on resilience and personal growth |
| Availability | Available at Amazon India, Flipkart, HarperCollins India, and bookstores across the country |