In a significant and emotional announcement, Shikhar Dhawan, the renowned left-handed batsman, has officially retired from international and domestic cricket, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned over 13 years. Dhawan, widely known for his dynamic batting style and significant contributions to Indian cricket, took to social media to share the poignant news with his fans and followers.
“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 declared in his heartfelt retirement video. He continued with a message of gratitude and reflection, saying, “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’s career statistics speak volumes of his prowess on the field. Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India, amassing 2,315, 6,793, and 1,579 runs respectively. He signed off in style, expressing his appreciation for his family, fans, childhood coaches, and various teams he represented during his career.
Dhawan’s last appearance for India was in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022, while his final T20I match was against Sri Lanka in July 2021. The beloved cricketer hadn’t played a Test since 2018. His final competitive outing was with the Punjab Kings in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where an untimely injury curtailed his season.
Reflecting on his career, Dhawan’s journey to fame began with a stellar performance in the 2004 U-19 World Cup where he scored three centuries and amassed 505 runs. Notably, his contributions alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir strengthened a formidable Delhi batting line-up. Renowned for his elegant cover drives and cuts, Dhawan’s debut for India came in the ODI format in 2010 against Australia, but it was a humble start as he was dismissed for a duck.
However, Dhawan’s fortunes turned in 2013 when he made his Test debut against Australia at Mohali.
. He delivered a record-breaking performance by smashing the fastest Test century on debut with just 85 deliveries. That year marked a significant milestone as Dhawan formed a powerful opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, playing a crucial role in India’s triumphant campaign in the Champions Trophy in England, where he scored 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most memorable innings was his 137 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Facing a fierce South African bowling line-up comprising Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan’s masterclass propelled him to be recognized as a man for ICC events. Fast forward to the 2019 ICC World Cup, where Dhawan began with a century against Australia, but his campaign was cut short due to a hairline fracture on his thumb.
Dhawan also had a notable IPL career, scoring 6,769 runs over 222 games and winning the championship with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, where he shared a pivotal partnership with David Warner. Despite his diminishing appearances in international matches over the past few years, Dhawan left an indelible mark on the T20 format.
Apart from wielding the bat, 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 33 games in total across the IPL and the Champions League T20. His record as a captain for India included eight wins, five losses, and two no-results. Under his leadership, India won ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2021 and both West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his tenure in franchise cricket saw mixed results, with 13 wins and 20 defeats as captain.
As Dhawan steps away from competitive cricket, his legacy will remain in the annals of Indian cricket history. His contributions to the sport, be it through his powerful performances or his leadership on the field, have left an everlasting impact on fans and budding cricketers alike.