ছবি: Photo: Collected
Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is enduring a painful chapter in his personal life, grappling with a prolonged separation from his son, Zorawar, despite a court ruling in his favor. The cricketer, who parted ways with his wife, Ayesha Mukherjee, in 2023, has not seen his son for over two years. Although the court had ordered that Dhawan be allowed to meet and even video call his son following their separation, these provisions have not been honored by his estranged wife.
Dhawan and Ayesha, who had been married since 2011, experienced a rocky relationship from 2016 onward. Ayesha had been previously married, with two daughters from that marriage. After their marriage, the couple had Zorawar, their only child together. However, their marital issues escalated, leading to their eventual separation in October 2023.
During their separation, Dhawan approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that his wife was preventing him from meeting his son. In response, the court allowed him to meet Zorawar and also granted permission for video calls, regardless of Ayesha’s location—whether in India or Australia. Despite this legal ruling, Dhawan claims that he has been unable to maintain contact with his son, even though the court’s instructions were clear.
In a recent interview, Dhawan expressed his emotional turmoil, revealing that he has not seen his son for two years and has not heard his voice for over a year. He described the pain of being distanced from his child, saying, “It’s very painful. But this is how I have to live. I stay spiritually connected with him, and my heart is with him. I know Zorawar also thinks of me. We communicate in our hearts, but there is no other way for us to connect.”
Dhawan, who has represented India in 34 Test matches, 167 One-Day Internationals, and 68 T20Is, shared how difficult it has been to not be present in his son's life. He further added, “I want Zorawar to be healthy and happy. I send him messages from time to time. Even though I know he may never see them, it’s my duty to send them, and I will keep doing it.”
At present, Zorawar is 11 years old, and Dhawan reflects that in the brief time they had together, which amounted to only about two and a half years, he has cherished every moment. Despite the heartache, Dhawan continues to hope for the well-being of his son, staying connected with him in the only way he can—through his thoughts and messages.
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