Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket, marking the end of a notable career that has spanned over a decade. The 38-year-old left-handed opener shared the news on social media, delivering an emotional message to his fans and reflecting on his journey in the sport.
Dhawan last represented the Indian cricket team in 2022 during the ODI series against Bangladesh. Since then, he has seen a decline in his place in the squad, losing out to younger talents like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and other emerging opening batters. His retirement marks the end of an era for a player who has been a significant figure in Indian cricket.
An Emotional Farewell
In a heartfelt video message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dhawan expressed, “I am standing at a point where when I look back, I only see memories and a new life when I look forward. It was always my dream to play for India, and I got to live it. I am thankful to a lot of people for that. First of all, my family, my childhood coaches, and then my team that I played with for so many years. I got a new family, fame, and love. But it is said that to move forward, you need to flip the pages.”
He continued, “I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. As I bid farewell to my cricketing journey, I have peace in my heart. I played a lot for my country. I only say this to myself, that you don’t need to be upset about not playing for your country again, but be happy that you had the opportunity to do so.”
A Stellar Career
Shikhar Dhawan made his ODI debut in 2010 and went on to play 167 matches, scoring 6,793 runs, including 17 centuries. He made his Test debut in 2013 against Australia, scoring a century on his first outing, and accumulated a total of 2,315 runs in 34 Test matches.
In addition to his international career, Dhawan has been a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing 222 matches and scoring 6,769 runs, which includes two centuries and 51 half-centuries. His aggressive batting style and ability to perform in high-pressure situations made him a fan favorite.
Contributions to ICC Tournaments
Dhawan became known as India’s go-to player in ICC tournaments, with standout performances in various editions. He was instrumental in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy victory, scoring consecutive centuries and earning the Player of the Tournament award with a total of 363 runs.
His contributions continued during the 2015 World Cup, where he was India’s highest scorer with 412 runs, and he further solidified his reputation with 338 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy. As he steps away from the game, Dhawan leaves behind a rich history of achievements and memories that have inspired many aspiring cricketers.
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