Shikhar Dhawan: Team India's latest dynamite
Dhawan now has scored centuries in his last three international appearances for India. His 187 against Australia on his Test debut earlier this year in Mohali was the perfect way to announce his arrival on the international stage.
Shikhar Dhawan scored his second consecutive ODI century in the Champions Trophy when he hit an unbeaten 102 off 107 balls to guide India to an eight-wicket win over West Indies at The Oval in London.
The win saw India through to the semi-finals of the tournament with still one game to play against Pakistan in the league stage.
Dhawan now has scored centuries in his last three international appearances for India. His 187 against Australia on his Test debut earlier this year in Mohali was the perfect way to announce his arrival on the international stage.
But things went sour as an injury in the same game saw him sidelined for almost 2 months.
Dhawan missed the initial part of the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League. When he returned to the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, he made some substantial contributions.
Picked in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, Dhawan started off with a bang smashing 114 from 94 balls against South Africa in Cardiff. He boosted his team to an imposing 331/7 and ultimately to a 26-run win.
Against West Indies, the situation was different. India were set a target of 234 and the openers got off to a good start just as they did against South Africa. Dhawan played a more patient innings this time round as he took India home with more than 10 overs to spare.
With back-to-back centuries in the tournament, Dhawan has clearly made a statement that he is ready to pick up the mantle from the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.
Having come a long way since his days as an Under-19 performer, Dhawan may have made a late start to his international career, but as they say, its better late than never.