Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, a decision that marks the end of an illustrious 13-year career. The 38-year-old left-handed batsman shared the news through a heartfelt video on social media, where he reflected on his cricketing journey and expressed gratitude for the support he received over the years.
“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 said in his announcement 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 career statistics reflect his significant contributions to Indian cricket. He played in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing 2,315, 6,793, and 1,579 runs respectively. His elegant strokes, particularly his cover drives and cuts, made him a formidable force on the field.
The southpaw last represented India in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. His prior T20I appearance was in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, while his final Test match dates back to 2018. Dhawan’s last stint in competitive cricket was in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he played for the Punjab Kings against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in April. An unfortunate injury during that match prematurely ended his season.
In his retirement announcement, Dhawan took the opportunity to thank his family, fans, childhood coaches, and the various teams he played for, both in international cricket and the IPL.
Dhawan’s journey to stardom began at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and amassed 505 runs. His performances at the U-19 level made him a notable name in Indian cricket circles. He shared the dressing room with cricketing stalwarts like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, becoming part of a strong Delhi batting lineup.
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Dhawan made his ODI debut against Australia in 2010 but faced a setback as he was dismissed for a duck. However, he bounced back with a memorable Test debut against Australia in Mohali in March 2013, where he smashed the fastest century on Test debut, reaching the milestone in just 85 balls. He quickly established a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, playing a key role in India’s victory in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England, where he scored 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most iconic performances came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. His innings of 137 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) remains etched in the memories of cricket fans. Taking on bowlers like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan’s fearless batting earned him the reputation of being a player for the big occasions. His 2019 World Cup campaign also started on a bright note with a century against Australia, but a hairline fracture on his thumb cut his tournament short.
In the IPL, Dhawan’s consistency was remarkable. Over an IPL career spanning 222 games, he scored 6,769 runs and was a key player in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2016 championship-winning team, forming a crucial partnership with David Warner. However, as the years progressed, his appearances for the national team became less frequent.
Leadership also featured in Dhawan’s cricketing journey. He captained the Indian national team in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and led 33 games for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. With Team India, he had a respectable captaincy record, leading the side to ODI series victories against Sri Lanka (2021), West Indies, and South Africa (2022). In contrast, his stint as a franchise captain was challenging, culminating in a win-loss record of 13 victories and 20 defeats.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from playing cricket, his legacy as a stylish and impactful batsman, a reliable opening partner, and a player who rose to the occasion in crucial matches will be remembered and celebrated by fans around the world.