Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket with immediate effect. The veteran left-hander, who has been a cornerstone in Indian cricket for over 13 years, shared the news on social media, signaling the end of a prolific career. Dhawan’s cricket journey includes playing 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India, where he accumulated 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs respectively in the three formats.
In a heartfelt retirement video, Dhawan eloquently expressed his sentiments, “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. 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 last represented India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His final T20I appearance came earlier, in July 2021 in Sri Lanka. Dhawan had not been part of a Test match since 2018. Further, his last competitive cricket appearance was in the IPL 2024 where he played for the Punjab Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Unfortunately, an untimely injury cut his season short.
Dhawan took the opportunity to thank several key individuals and groups in his farewell message. He expressed gratitude to his family, his devoted fans, his childhood coaches, and the various Indian and IPL teams he has played with throughout his career. Their support, he noted, was invaluable to his journey and achievements.
Shikhar Dhawan first came into the limelight during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored a phenomenal 505 runs, including three centuries. He played a key role in Delhi’s formidable batting lineup, sharing the stage with cricket legends Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Known for his aesthetic cover drives and precision cuts, Dhawan’s elegance on the offside became a hallmark of his batmanship.
. He made his ODI debut for India in 2010 against Australia but was dismissed for a duck, an inauspicious start to what would later be a memorable career.
Dhawan’s rise continued as he made his Test debut in March 2013 against Australia at Mohali. Unlike his ODI debut, this was the start of a remarkable journey; he struck the fastest Test century on debut in just 85 deliveries. That same year, he formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, significantly contributing to India’s success in the Champions Trophy in England by scoring 363 runs, which included two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most memorable innings came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup when he scored a stunning 137 against South Africa at the MCG. Taking on some of the world’s best bowlers like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander, Dhawan’s performance earned him recognition as the man for ICC events. He began the 2019 ICC World Cup in splendid form as well, scoring a century against Australia, but a hairline fracture on his thumb cut his tournament short.
In the IPL, Dhawan was equally prolific, scoring 6,769 runs across 222 matches. He clinched the IPL championship with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, forming a key partnership with David Warner. Despite fewer international appearances in the later years, Dhawan’s contributions remained significant.
Dhawan also had a stint as a captain, leading India in 15 matches (12 ODIs, 3 T20Is) and captaining two IPL franchises—Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad—across the IPL and the erstwhile Champions League T20. As India’s skipper, he held a decent win-loss record of 8-5 (with 2 no-results), leading the team to series wins against Sri Lanka in 2021, and against West Indies and South Africa in 2022. Nevertheless, his performance as an IPL captain was met with challenges, resulting in 13 wins and 20 defeats.
As Dhawan steps away from the cricket field, his legacy remains undeniably impactful. Fans, teammates, and cricket experts alike will remember his contributions to Indian and global cricket with fondness and respect. Dhawan’s journey, full of flamboyant strokes, significant partnerships, and critical victories, has inspired many and will continue to do so even as he transitions to the next chapter of his life.