In a move that has sent ripples throughout the cricketing world, Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket with immediate effect. A career that spanned over 13 illustrious years for India has come to a close. Dhawan, the celebrated left-handed batsman, took to social media to share the news and reflect on his remarkable journey.
“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 expressed in his heartfelt retirement video. “I’ve told myself not to feel sad that you won’t play for India again, but to feel happy that you played for the country.”
Dhawan, who is 38 years old, last played for India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His most recent T20I appearance was in Sri Lanka in July 2021, and he has not featured in a Test match for India since 2018. His final competitive appearance was for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 season against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in April, before an untimely injury ended his season prematurely.
Throughout his career, Dhawan has been a mainstay for India across all formats. He played 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), accumulating 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs respectively in each of the formats. His powerful batting and elegant stroke play have been a joy to watch for fans worldwide.
Dhawan took a moment to express his gratitude to his family, fans, and mentors: “I thank my family for their unyielding support, my numerous fans for their unwavering love, and my childhood coaches. My career wouldn’t have been possible without the various Indian and IPL teams that I’ve had the privilege to be a part of.”
Shikhar Dhawan first burst into the limelight during the 2004 U-19 World Cup. He scored three centuries and amassed 505 runs, quickly becoming a name to watch out for in Indian cricket. Alongside legends like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, he was part of a formidable Delhi batting lineup. Known for his strong offside game, his elegant cover drives and cuts became his trademarks.
. Despite a disappointing ODI debut in 2010 against Australia where he was dismissed for a duck, Dhawan didn’t have to wait long for redemption.
In March 2013, India finally found their opening batsman in Dhawan when he made his memorable Test debut against Australia at Mohali. Unlike the ODI debut, this one was one for the record books as Dhawan went on to smash the fastest century on debut in Test cricket, reaching the milestone in just 85 balls. His performance throughout 2013 helped establish a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, and he played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy in England by scoring 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s standout moments came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup in a match against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). He scored a dazzling 137 runs, taking apart one of the most feared bowling attacks in the competition. This performance contributed to his reputation as a player who excels in ICC tournaments. He started the 2019 World Cup equally strong, scoring a century against Australia before a hairline fracture on his thumb cut his tournament short.
In domestic T20 cricket, Dhawan’s career has been equally illustrious. Over his IPL career spanning 222 games, he scored 6,769 runs. He enjoyed significant success with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, winning the championship in 2016, thanks largely to his key partnership with David Warner.
Though Dhawan made fewer international appearances towards the end of his career, he also took on the mantle of leadership when needed. He captained India in 15 games (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is), leading the team to ODI series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021, and West Indies and South Africa in 2022.
In the Indian Premier League, Dhawan captained the Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad in a total of 33 games. While he had a respectable win-loss record of 8-5 (with two no-results) as India’s captain, his captaincy in franchise cricket was less successful, with his team winning 13 of the 33 matches he captained.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from the limelight, his legacy remains intact. He leaves behind a treasure trove of memories for fans and an indelible mark on Indian cricket.