In a significant development for the cricketing world, Indian cricket stalwart Shikhar Dhawan has announced his immediate retirement from international and domestic cricket. Ending a distinguished career spanning over 13 years, Dhawan revealed his decision through a heartfelt message shared on social media. The 38-year-old left-handed batsman played a critical role in Indian cricket, representing the national team in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs respectively in these formats.
“It’s essential 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 expressed in his retirement video. “I’ve told myself not to feel sad that I won’t play for India again, but to feel happy and proud that I had the honor to play for my country,” he added.
Dhawan’s last appearance in India’s colors was during an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His final T20I came much earlier, in July 2021, against Sri Lanka. Notably, Dhawan has not featured in a Test match since 2018. His ill-fated final competitive innings saw him play for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a match brought to a premature conclusion due to an unfortunate injury.
In addition to his illustrious performances on the field, Dhawan took the opportunity to extend his gratitude towards several pillars in his life and career. He showed appreciation towards his family, devoted fans, childhood coaches, and the diverse Indian and IPL teams he was part of.
Shikhar Dhawan first rose to prominence during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and accumulated a total of 505 runs, capturing the attention of cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike. He was an integral part of a strong Delhi batting lineup that included legends like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Known for his solid offside game, Dhawan’s elegance with the cover drive and cut shots quickly became his hallmark.
Dhawan made his debut in the ODI format in 2010 against Australia, a disappointing first outing that saw him dismissed for a duck. However, his resilience shone through when he made his Test debut three years later in March 2013, also against Australia, at Mohali.
. This time he made headlines by smashing the fastest Test century on debut, reaching the milestone in just 85 balls.
Continuing his momentum through 2013, Dhawan formed a robust opening partnership with Rohit Sharma. This dynamic duo played a pivotal role in India’s triumph at the Champions Trophy in England, where Dhawan marked his dominance by scoring 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most celebrated performances came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored a blistering 137 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His dazzling play against the intimidating South African bowling lineup, featuring Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, showcased his ability to perform on the grandest stages and earned him the tag of ‘Mr. ICC Events’. Dhawan continued this form into the 2019 ICC World Cup, scoring a memorable century against Australia before a thumb injury ended his campaign prematurely.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan enjoyed an illustrious career, scoring 6779 runs across 222 matches, and winning the title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. He formed a formidable opening partnership with David Warner, pivotal to their championship success.
Despite his international appearances becoming sparse in recent years, Dhawan remained an influential presence. His leadership qualities came to the fore as he captained India in 15 games (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is). In addition, he helmed 33 matches for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, as well as in the now-defunct Champions League T20. As captain of the Indian team, Dhawan registered series wins against Sri Lanka, West Indies, and South Africa.
Summarizing his captaincy, Dhawan’s record for India included 8 victories and 5 defeats (with 2 no-results). In franchise cricket, however, his captaincy record was mixed, with 13 wins against 20 losses.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from the cricketing arena, his legacy remains firmly etched in the annals of cricket history. Fans and cricketing pundits alike will remember him not only for his skill and elegance on the field but also for his resilience and the joyous spirit he brought to the game.