Dhawan played an unbeaten knock of 101 from 58 deliveries against CSK.
Chasing 180 to win, the southpaw played an unbeaten knock of 101 from 58 deliveries as DC overhauled the target with one ball to spare. His innings was laced with 14 fours and 1 six.
"It is very special. Been playing for 13 years, and this is the first. So really happy," Dhawan said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "At the start of the season also I was hitting the ball well but I wasn't converting those 20s into 50s. Once you do that, you take that confidence into the next game. I just want to continue the same form and make the most of it."
Talking about his mindset during the chase, Dhawan said he was not 'thinking' a lot and just going with the flow.
"I keep my mindset quite positive. I don't think a lot. Of course, I do have a few strategies according to pitch. Just look to score runs, and not think pitch is doing this or that. I play with courage. I am not afraid to get out. Fitness is very important. We were lucky we got so much time off so it allowed me to refresh myself both mentally and physically. I am running faster and feeling fresher."
DC required 17 runs off the final over and Akshar Patel whacked Ravindra Jadeja for three sixes to seal the deal.
DC skipper Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for the duo of Dhawan and Akshar.
"I was very nervous, didn't know what to say because it was getting to the last over," he said. "I knew that if Shikhar stays till the end, we will win. But the way Axar struck the ball was amazing to see. Whenever we give the Man of the Match awards in our dressing room, he is always there. He is an unsung hero. His preparation is always on point and he knows what he is doing.
"We've been gelling well as a team from the first day of our camp. We know the strengths and weaknesses of each other. We've embraced each other's success and failure in the same way. I just told one of the teammates today that today the way he batted, it was really mesmerizing to see. Also gives me some breathing space as captain."