In a significant development for the world of cricket, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket. The left-handed batsman took to social media to make the announcement, bringing an end to a career that spanned over 13 years. During this period, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. His career statistics are impressive, with 2315 runs in Tests, 6793 runs in ODIs, and 1579 runs in T20Is.
Dhawan’s announcement comes with a message of positivity and forward-thinking. “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,” he said in his 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.”
The 38-year-old cricketer played his last international match for India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His final appearance in a T20I was in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, and he hadn’t played a Test match for India since 2018. His last competitive outing came in April 2024, when he represented the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Unfortunately, an injury during this match brought his season to a premature end.
In his farewell message, Dhawan expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him throughout his career. He thanked his family, fans, and childhood coaches, along with the various Indian and IPL teams he had played for. The cricketer made a special mention of his teammates, with whom he shared the highs and lows of his sporting journey.
Dhawan first made waves in the cricketing world during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and amassed a total of 505 runs. Alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, he became part of a formidable Delhi batting line-up. Known for his strong offside game and classical cover drives and cuts, Dhawan eventually made his ODI debut for India in 2010 against Australia, although he was dismissed for a duck in that game.
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Three years later, in March 2013, Dhawan made his Test debut against Australia at Mohali, and it was nothing short of spectacular. He scored the fastest century on debut in Test history, reaching the milestone in just 85 deliveries. His breakthrough year continued as he formed a potent opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, contributing significantly to India’s triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy in England with scores that included two centuries and a total of 363 runs.
One of Dhawan’s most memorable performances came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Playing against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he scored a magnificent 137, taking on the likes of Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander. This innings solidified his reputation as a player who thrived in ICC tournaments. Dhawan began the 2019 World Cup in similarly impressive fashion, scoring a century against Australia. However, a hairline fracture on his thumb forced him to sit out the remainder of the tournament.
Dhawan’s IPL career was equally illustrious. Over the span of 222 games, he scored 6,769 runs and won the IPL Championship in 2016 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, forming a crucial opening partnership with David Warner. However, as the decade turned, his appearances in international matches became increasingly sporadic.
Throughout his career, Dhawan also took on leadership roles. He captained India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and led two IPL franchises, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in a total of 33 games, including the now-defunct Champions League T20. His international captaincy yielded a respectable record of 8 wins to 5 losses in ODIs (with 2 no-results). Under his stewardship, India secured ODI series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021, and the West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his record in franchise cricket was less stellar, with 13 wins and 20 losses as a captain.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from the cricketing arena, he leaves behind a legacy marked by elegance, resilience, and a love for the game. His contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered and celebrated by fans and fellow players alike.