Shikhar Dhawan Bids Farewell to All Forms of Cricket: Announces Retirement

Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket, bringing an end to an illustrious career. The veteran left-handed opener made the announcement via his social media platforms, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned over 13 years with the Indian cricket team. During this time, Dhawan played 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), amassing impressive totals of 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs in each format, respectively.

Shikhar Dhawan Bids Farewell to All Forms of Cricket

In his retirement message, Dhawan expressed that it was time to move on to the next chapter of his life. “Turning the page is essential to progressing in life’s story,” Dhawan said in his farewell video. “I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. Instead of feeling sad about not playing for India anymore, I choose to be grateful for the chance to represent my country.”

The 38-year-old played his final match for India in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. His last T20I appearance was in July 2021 during India’s tour of Sri Lanka. Dhawan’s last Test match appearance for India was in 2018. On the domestic front, his final competitive game was for the Punjab Kings in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Unfortunately, an injury during the IPL prematurely ended his season.

Throughout his career, Dhawan expressed deep gratitude to his family, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support. He also thanked the various Indian and IPL teams that he had represented over the years, recognizing their contributions to his journey.

Dhawan first made headlines in the 2004 ICC U-19 World Cup, where he showcased his potential by scoring three centuries and accumulating a total of 505 runs in the tournament. Alongside stalwarts like Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, he strengthened Delhi’s formidable batting lineup. Dhawan became renowned for his fluent offside play, particularly his elegant cover drives and crisp cut shots. His journey to the Indian team began in 2010 when he made his ODI debut against Australia, although he was dismissed without scoring.

However, it was in 2013 that Dhawan’s career took a significant turn. He was handed his Test debut against Australia in Mohali, and unlike his ODI debut, this moment became a highlight of his career. Dhawan smashed a century in just 85 balls, marking the fastest century on debut in Test history. This performance laid the foundation for an exceptional year, during which Dhawan formed a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma. His efforts played a pivotal role in India’s triumph in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England, where Dhawan finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 363 runs, including two centuries.

One of Dhawan’s most memorable performances came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. His 137-run innings against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) remains iconic, as he took on a bowling attack featuring the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander. This performance cemented his reputation as a player who excelled in ICC tournaments. Dhawan continued his form into the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored a century against Australia. Unfortunately, a hairline fracture on his thumb forced him to withdraw from the remainder of the tournament.

In the Indian Premier League, Dhawan enjoyed a prolific career. In his 222 IPL matches, he scored 6,769 runs, and in 2016, he helped Sunrisers Hyderabad secure the championship title, forming a key partnership with David Warner. However, in recent years, his appearances for India became increasingly sporadic.

In addition to his batting prowess, Dhawan also had a stint as a captain. He led India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) and captained two IPL franchises, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in a total of 33 matches. As captain of India, Dhawan achieved a respectable record, leading the team to series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021 and against West Indies and South Africa in 2022. However, his captaincy experience in the IPL was more challenging, with a win-loss record of 13 victories and 20 defeats.

As Dhawan bids farewell to cricket, he leaves behind a legacy of elegance, resilience, and impactful performances that will be remembered by cricket fans around the world.