Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket with immediate effect, marking the end of an illustrious 13-year career representing India. The left-handed batsman made his public farewell through a heartfelt social media post, wrapping up a journey in the sport that has seen him grace 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Over these formats, Dhawan amassed a total of 2315 runs in Tests, 6793 runs in ODIs, and 1579 runs in T20Is.
“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 poignant retirement message. “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 last represented India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram in December 2022. His final T20I appearance was in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, and he had not played a Test match since 2018. Most recently, he appeared in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024 for the Punjab Kings, with his season cut short due to an injury during a match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in April.
Dhawan extended his gratitude to his family and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career. He also recognized his childhood coaches and the various Indian and IPL teams he played for, all of whom contributed to his growth and success as a cricketer.
Dhawan’s cricketing journey shot into the limelight during the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and amassed a total of 505 runs, announcing his arrival with a bang. He was part of a formidable Delhi batting lineup alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, known for his pristine cover drives and powerful cuts on the off side. His international debut came in the ODI format in 2010 against Australia, although he was dismissed for a duck.
However, destiny scripted a different story for Dhawan when he made his Test debut against Australia at Mohali in March 2013. Unlike his ODI debut, Dhawan sensationally smashed the fastest century on debut in Test cricket, achieving the feat in just 85 deliveries.
. His form continued through 2013 as he built a potent opening partnership with Rohit Sharma. He played a crucial role in India’s triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy in England, scoring 363 runs, including two centuries.
One of Dhawan’s most memorable performances came against South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the 2015 Cricket World Cup. His innings of 137 runs was a display of sheer dominance against a formidable South African bowling attack featuring Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander. Dhawan’s reputation as a definitive batsman for ICC events was further solidified during the 2019 Cricket World Cup, where he scored a century against Australia. Unfortunately, a hairline fracture on his thumb prematurely ended his campaign.
In the IPL, Dhawan enjoyed a prolific career, scoring 6,769 runs across 222 matches. He was a key component of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s championship-winning team in 2016, forming a significant partnership with David Warner. Despite his success, appearances in international cricket became increasingly sporadic in the latter part of his career.
Captaincy was another facet of Dhawan’s contributions to Indian cricket. He led the national team in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is), and captained two IPL franchises — Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad — in a total of 33 games across the IPL and the now-defunct Champions League T20. As captain of India, Dhawan held a win-loss record of 8-5 with 2 no-results. Under his leadership, India clinched ODI series wins against Sri Lanka in 2021, and West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his tenure as captain in franchise cricket was less impressive, with 13 wins and 20 defeats.
In summary, Shikhar Dhawan leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of India’s most dependable and dynamic cricketers. His contributions across all formats of the game have etched his name into the annals of cricket history, and his remarkable journey from a promising youth cricketer to an international star will be remembered for years to come.