In a significant development that marks the end of an era, veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket with immediate effect. The 38-year-old made the poignant announcement via social media, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career that spanned over 13 years. During his illustrious tenure, Dhawan represented India in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), accumulating a commendable 2,315 runs in Tests, 6,793 runs in ODIs, and 1,579 runs in T20Is.
“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 expressed in a heartfelt retirement video. “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.”
Dhawan’s last appearance in international cricket came in December 2022 when he played an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram. His final T20I outing was against Sri Lanka in July 2021, and he had not been a part of the Indian Test team since 2018. On the domestic front, his last competitive game was for the Punjab Kings franchise during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season against Sunrisers Hyderabad in April, where an injury prematurely ended his season.
Taking a moment to reflect on his journey, Dhawan extended his gratitude to his family, fans, childhood coaches, and the various teams, both international and IPL, that he had been a part of.
Dhawan first ascended to prominence with a stellar performance in the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and amassed a total of 505 runs. Alongside renowned players like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, he was a vital part of a formidable Delhi batting lineup. Known for his elegant offside game, Dhawan’s stylish cover drives and cuts became his signature. He made his ODI debut for India in 2010 against Australia but faced a setback as he was dismissed for a duck.
However, three years later, in March 2013, Dhawan found redemption when he made his Test debut against Australia at Mohali. Unlike his ODI debut, this was a memorable occasion. Dhawan smashed the fastest century by a debutant in Test cricket, reaching the milestone in just 85 deliveries.
. This performance set the tone for an impressive 2013, during which he formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma. Dhawan played a pivotal role in helping India clinch the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, scoring 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most unforgettable innings came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Smashing 137 runs, he took the likes of Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander to task, earning a reputation as the man for ICC events. Dhawan commenced the 2019 ICC World Cup with a bang, scoring a century against Australia. Unfortunately, a hairline fracture on his thumb during the tournament saw him exit prematurely.
In the IPL arena, Dhawan was an equally prolific run-scorer. Across a 222-game career, Dhawan amassed a staggering 6,769 runs. A highlight of his IPL career was winning the 2016 championship with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he formed a productive partnership with David Warner.
The latter years of Dhawan’s career saw a decline in international call-ups, but he remained a critical figure in white-ball cricket. Dhawan also took on leadership roles in the Indian team and in franchise cricket. He captained India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and led two IPL franchises—Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad—in various tournaments. His leadership in international cricket led to notable series wins against Sri Lanka in 2021 and against the West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his captaining duties in franchise cricket met with mixed success, showing a win-loss record of 13-20.
As Dhawan retires, he leaves behind a rich legacy characterized by his contributions to Indian cricket in both international and domestic formats. His charismatic presence on and off the field will be sorely missed by fans and teammates alike.