In a heartfelt and emotional announcement on social media, Indian cricket stalwart Shikhar Dhawan has confirmed his immediate retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket. After a career spanning over 13 years, Dhawan feels the time has come to step away from the sport he graced with his presence. The 38-year-old left-handed batter carved a niche for himself in the annals of Indian cricket with extraordinary performances across all formats.
“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 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 illustrious career saw him don the Indian jersey in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He amassed 2,315 runs in the longest format, 6,793 in ODIs, and 1,579 in T20Is. His last appearance for India was an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. His final T20I outing was in Sri Lanka in July 2021, while his last Test appearance dates back to 2018. His final competitive cricket match was an Indian Premier League (IPL) game for Punjab Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in April 2024, after which an injury prematurely ended his season.
Reflecting on his support system throughout his career, Dhawan extended his gratitude to his family, who stood by him through victories and defeats, and to the fans whose unwavering support fueled his passion. He also thanked his childhood coaches and the teams he was part of, both in the Indian national squad and in the IPL.
Dhawan first came into the limelight during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries, amassing 505 runs in the tournament. Part of a robust Delhi team that featured legends like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, Dhawan’s elegant cover drives and cuts became his hallmark. Despite a forgettable ODI debut in 2010 against Australia, where he was dismissed for a duck, Dhawan made sure his next opportunity was unforgettable.
In March 2013, he made his Test debut against Australia in Mohali.
. Dhawan smashed the fastest Test century on debut, reaching the milestone in just 85 balls. The year 2013 also marked the beginning of one of the most prolific opening partnerships in modern cricket, as he joined forces with Rohit Sharma. Dhawan played a crucial role in India’s victorious 2013 ICC Champions Trophy campaign in England, scoring 363 runs including two centuries.
Arguably one of his finest innings came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored a memorable 137 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Facing a formidable South African bowling attack featuring Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan took them apart with a spectacular display of batting. His ability to perform in ICC tournaments earned him a reputation as a big-match player. In the 2019 World Cup, he started strong with a century against Australia, but a hairline fracture to his thumb ended his participation in the tournament prematurely.
Dhawan’s IPL career is also noteworthy. Over 222 matches, he scored 6,769 runs and helped Sunrisers Hyderabad clinch the championship in 2016, forming a dominant opening partnership with David Warner. However, the later stages of his career saw a decline in international appearances.
As a leader, Dhawan captained India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and led IPL teams Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 33 matches. His record as India’s captain includes a commendable win-loss tally of 8-5 (with 2 no-results), steering the team to series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021 and both West Indies and South Africa in 2022. In franchise cricket, he found the captaincy more challenging, managing 13 wins against 20 defeats.
While Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, his legacy will endure. From his aggressive yet graceful batting style to his penchant for delivering in crucial moments, Dhawan’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. As he turns the page to explore new chapters in life, fans and cricketing fraternity alike will cherish the memories he created on the field.