Shikhar Dhawan, the illustrious Indian cricketer, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket with immediate effect. The left-handed batsman took to social media to share the news, bringing an end to a remarkable 13-year career that saw him become one of India’s most dependable players across formats. Over his distinguished career, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, amassing 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs respectively.
Reflecting on this momentous decision, Dhawan released a heartfelt video message to his fans and followers, stating, “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. 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 retirement marks the end of an era for a player who has made significant contributions to Indian cricket. The 38-year-old’s last appearance for India came in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His most recent T20I dates back to July 2021 during a series in Sri Lanka. Dhawan had not featured in a Test match since 2018. His final competitive appearance was in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, playing for the Punjab Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in April. Unfortunately, an injury curtailed his season and ultimately hastened his decision to retire.
Throughout his career, Dhawan has received immense support from his family, fans, and mentors, all of whom he thanked in his farewell message. He expressed particular gratitude to his childhood coaches and the various Indian and IPL teams he represented, acknowledging their role in his journey.
Dhawan first shot to fame during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and accumulated 505 runs, becoming the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Alongside contemporaries such as Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Dhawan was part of a formidable Delhi batting order known for its dominance in domestic cricket. His graceful cover drives and powerful cuts earned him a reputation as a stylish batsman with a robust offside game.
Dhawan made his ODI debut for India in 2010 against Australia but was dismissed for a duck.
. However, he turned his fortunes around in March 2013, when he made a sensational Test debut against Australia at Mohali. In that match, Dhawan scored a blistering century off just 85 balls, the fastest by a debutant in the history of Test cricket. His performance in 2013, including a fruitful opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, was pivotal in India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign in England, where he scored 363 runs and two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most iconic innings came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored a majestic 137 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Facing a fearsome bowling attack comprising Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan’s innings stood out for its audacity and brilliance. He earned the moniker “Man for the ICC events” for his prowess in high-pressure tournaments. Dhawan started the 2019 ICC World Cup on a similar note, with a century against Australia, but a thumb fracture prematurely ended his participation.
In the IPL, Dhawan’s record is equally impressive. Over 222 games, he scored 6,769 runs and was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team that won the championship in 2016. His partnership with David Warner during that season was instrumental in the team’s success. However, in the later stages of his career, Dhawan’s international appearances became sporadic.
Dhawan also had stints as captain, leading India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is). He captained the Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and the Champions League T20, amassing a total of 33 leadership appearances. As captain of India, Dhawan had a respectable win-loss record of 8-5 in ODIs (with 2 no-results) and led the team to series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021, and West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his foray into franchise captaincy was more challenging, with 13 wins and 20 defeats across tournaments.
Dhawan’s retirement signifies the culmination of an exhilarating cricketing journey that has inspired millions. As he steps away from the crease, the cricketing world will remember him not only for his elegant strokes and match-winning innings but also for his sportsmanship and dedication to the game.