Rishi Dhawan

** Unavailable for the UK/EU 2023 season **

Rishi Dhawan is an outstanding all-rounder who was finally rewarded with a ODI debut against Australia in January 2016. His richly deserved selection came off the back of consistent performances for Himachal Pradesh, across the formats, for several years.

Unfortunately, in 3 ODI’s and 1 T20I, he only took 2 wickets and produced the highest score of 9, so was shortly discarded. Nevertheless, the talented all-rounder has returned to domestic cricket and done what he has for neigh on a decade – impressed.

Dhawan’s journey began as an opening batter, when he hit the headlines as a 16-year-old in 2016, hitting 340 for HP in an Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match against Railways. Three years later, he was fast-tracked into the first-class squad, where his bowling performances overshadowed his batting. Dhawan finished the 201314 Ranji Trophy as the highest wicket-taker - 49 from eight matches - and earned an India A call-up for a limited-overs tour of Australia in July 2014. He showcased his batting potential in the final there by scoring an unbeaten 56 at No. 7 to help India A clinch the title.

His continued good form and consistency at first-class level (551 runs at 55.10 and 41 wickets at 25.78 – 2012/13; 446 runs at 37.16 and 49 wickets at 20.63 – 2013/14; 319 runs at 39.87 and 27 wickets at 27.44 – 2014/15; 307 runs at 43.85 and 28 wickets at 33.10 – 2015/16; 320 runs at 40 and 28 wickets at 29.57 – 2016/17; 397 runs at 39.70 and 18 wickets at 35.50 – 2017/18; 519 runs at 51.90 and 18 wickets at 38.22 - 2018/19, and 302 runs at 30.20 and 26 wickets at 20.57 - 2019/20), not to mention averaging 90.50 in the 2018 Dhaka Premier League, and batting/bowling averages of 50/16 (List A), 46.66/14.87 (T20), and 76/23 (List A), 19/26 (T20), during the 2020/21, and 2021/22 seasons, respectively.

Dhawan's IPL career hasn't hit the high notes though. After two years on the fringes with Mumbai Indians, he was signed by Kings XI Punjab for INR 3 crores in 2014. His performances have been steady, if not spectacular, having been used mainly as a stop-gap bowling option. After three years with Kings XI, his contract wasn’t renewed in 2018, therefore he spent the summer plying his trade in UK league cricket in 2018.

Unsurprisingly, Dhawan was a resounding success. He was, without doubt, the league's best pro, dominating with bat and ball, despite his late arrival due to visa delays. In the North Lancs and Cumbria Premier League, playing for Furness, he scored 403 runs at 50.38 alongside 42 wickets at 11.36 in his 12 matches. However, 680 runs at 52.31 and 50 wickets at 13.40 to include Cup cricket for the club.

After a slow first month, he absolutely excelled, taking successive 7-44 hauls and, a few weeks later, backed up with another 7-40, followed by two further 5 wicket hauls (5-32, 5-22). He was a consistent performer with the bat, but his best innings was his incredible 111-ball 160 against Haverigg (he also took 5-32 in the second innings).

The talented all-rounder is looking to impress in domestic cricket, once again, this summer. Unfortunately, though, he is currently unavailable for the UK 2023 season, but this could be subject to change.