Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s celebrated cricketers, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket, effective immediately. The left-handed opener made this announcement via social media, marking the end of a remarkable career that has spanned over 13 years. Throughout his illustrious tenure, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India, amassing 2,315 runs in Tests, 6,793 in ODIs, and 1,579 in T20Is.
In his heartfelt retirement video, Dhawan reflected on his journey and the need to embrace change. “It’s important to turn the page to move forward in a story, and in life. That’s why, I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket,” Dhawan remarked. He added, “I’ve told myself to not feel sad that you won’t play for India again, but feel happy that you played for the country.”
The 38-year-old’s last appearance for India was in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. His last T20I game was in Sri Lanka in July 2021, and he hadn’t featured in a Test match since 2018. Dhawan’s final competitive outing came in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season for the Punjab Kings against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in April, an appearance cut short by an injury.
Dhawan took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to his family, fans, and childhood coaches, as well as the various Indian and IPL teams he was associated with. His journey to cricketing stardom began with a standout performance at the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and accumulated 505 runs. Alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Dhawan formed part of a formidable Delhi batting lineup, renowned for his strong offside game, elegant cover drives, and precise cuts.
It wasn’t until 2010 that Dhawan made his debut for India in the ODI format against Australia, a match where he was dismissed for a duck.
. However, his Test debut in March 2013 against Australia at Mohali was a stark contrast, as he smashed the fastest century on debut, reaching the milestone in just 85 balls. Dhawan continued to build on this success in 2013, developing a strong opening partnership with Rohit Sharma and playing a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy victory in England, scoring 363 runs with two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s career highlights was his scintillating 137-run knock against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Facing renowned bowlers like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan’s innings cemented his reputation as a performer in ICC events. Dhawan began the ICC 2019 World Cup with similar prowess, scoring a century against Australia, but a thumb fracture ended his participation in the tournament prematurely.
Over his IPL career, Dhawan played 222 games, amassing 6,769 runs and securing a championship title with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. His partnership with David Warner during that season was pivotal. However, as the decade progressed, Dhawan’s appearances for the national team became infrequent.
Dhawan also took on leadership roles; he captained India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and led 33 games across two IPL franchises — Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad — including the now-defunct Champions League T20. His captaincy record for India featured 8 wins, 5 losses, and 2 no-results, with series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021, and West Indies and South Africa in 2022. Nonetheless, Dhawan found it challenging to juggle captaincy in the IPL, finishing with a 13-20 win-loss record as a franchise captain.
In saying goodbye to the sport, Shikhar Dhawan leaves behind a legacy of determination, elegance, and significant contributions to Indian cricket. His journey, marked by ups and downs, is celebrated by fans and peers alike, securing his place in the annals of cricket history.