Rohit Sharma reveals secret behind his iconic opening partnership with Shikhar Dhawan
Synopsis
Rohit Sharma has finally explained the method behind one of India's most beloved batting partnerships — Shikhar Dhawan's ability to score at over 100 strike rate without any risk-taking gave Rohit the room to pace his innings, while the duo's pre-innings 'random chatter' was a deliberate pressure-release tactic. Two retirements, one honest chat show, and a masterclass in complementary cricket psychology.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan discussed their opening partnership on celebrity chat show 'Family Full House' on Sony Entertainment Television .
Rohit credited Dhawan's strike rate of over 100 — achieved without risky shots — as the key reason he could play at his own pace.
The duo revealed they avoided match-talk while walking out to bat, preferring random, light-hearted conversation as a pressure-release technique.
The Rohit–Dhawan partnership was one of India's most productive opening combinations in ODIs and the IPL . 'Family Full House' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM IST on Sony Entertainment Television and streams on Sony LIV .
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan revisited their celebrated days as opening partners on the celebrity chat show 'Family Full House', with Rohit offering a candid insight into what made their combination so effective at the top of the order for India.
The Chemistry That Clicked
According to Rohit, Dhawan's natural batting style was the cornerstone of their partnership's success. He explained that Dhawan consistently maintained a strike rate above 100 without ever resorting to risky shots — a rare quality that gave Rohit the freedom to settle in and build his innings at his own tempo.
'And one thing I've mentioned quite a few times is that whenever I batted with Shikhar, his natural game was such that he always had a strike rate over 100 without taking any risks. And because of that, I got the chance to take my time and play at my own pace,' Rohit said on the show.
Random Chatter Over Match Talk
Rohit also pulled back the curtain on what the two actually discussed while walking out to open the batting together — and the answer may surprise fans. Rather than strategising about the opposition's bowling attack, the duo preferred light-hearted, random conversation.
'Often when we went out to bat, we didn't talk about who was bowling or what someone was doing. There used to be a lot of random chatter between us, and that was because it's a way to release that pressure,' Rohit explained.
This approach, he indicated, was a deliberate psychological tool — keeping nerves in check by simply not feeding into the high-pressure environment of an international match.
A Partnership That Defined an Era
The Rohit–Dhawan opening combination was among the most productive in Indian limited-overs cricket, particularly in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Their ability to complement each other's contrasting styles made them one of the most dependable opening pairs of their generation. Dhawan's aggressive yet controlled strokeplay served as the perfect foil to Rohit's more composed, timing-based approach.
Notably, both have now retired from international cricket, lending a nostalgic weight to their reminiscences on the show.
About Family Full House
'Family Full House' with Rohit Sharma airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM IST exclusively on Sony Entertainment Television and is available for streaming anytime on Sony LIV.
Point of View
Unfiltered look at elite cricket psychology. The revelation that they deliberately avoided tactical talk while walking to the crease challenges the popular assumption that great opening pairs are defined by shared game plans; apparently, the glue was distraction, not strategy. That Rohit frames Dhawan's instinctive aggression as the enabler of his own patience is also a corrective to the narrative that Rohit was always the dominant partner. The timing of these candid disclosures — post-retirement, on a family chat show — makes them more credible, and more revealing, than anything said at a post-match press conference.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rohit Sharma say about his partnership with Shikhar Dhawan on Family Full House?
Rohit Sharma said that Dhawan's natural game — maintaining a strike rate above 100 without taking risks — gave him the freedom to take his time at the crease and play at his own pace. He made these remarks during an appearance on 'Family Full House' on Sony Entertainment Television.
What did Rohit and Dhawan talk about while walking out to bat?
Rohit revealed that the two rarely discussed cricket tactics during their walk to the crease. Instead, they engaged in light-hearted, random chatter, which Rohit described as a deliberate way to release the pressure of an international match.
What is Family Full House featuring Rohit Sharma?
'Family Full House' is a celebrity chat show on Sony Entertainment Television that airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM IST. It is also available for on-demand streaming on Sony LIV.
Why was the Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan opening partnership so successful?
According to Rohit, the partnership worked because their styles complemented each other naturally. Dhawan's aggressive yet low-risk batting freed Rohit to bat at his own tempo, creating a balance that made them one of India's most dependable opening pairs in ODIs and the IPL.
Have Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan retired from international cricket?
Yes, both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have retired from international cricket, making their on-screen reunion on 'Family Full House' a nostalgic look back at one of India's most celebrated batting partnerships.
