Renowned Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most celebrated opening batsmen, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket. The announcement, made on Saturday through a poignant video on his social media channels, marks the end of an era for the left-handed batsman who made significant contributions to Indian cricket.
Dhawan, who represented India in 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from 2010 to 2022, shared his reflections on his cricketing journey. “My dream was to play for India, and I feel blessed to have achieved that. I am deeply thankful to everyone who supported me throughout my career—starting with my family, my late childhood coach Tarak Sinha, and Madan Sharma, who taught me the basics of cricket,” Dhawan stated.
As I close this chapter of my cricketing journey, I carry with me countless memories and gratitude. Thank you for the love and support! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/QKxRH55Lgx
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 24, 2024
He went on to express his gratitude towards his teammates and fans, saying, “Cricket has given me a second family, fame, and the love of millions of fans. I will forever cherish these moments.”
Reflecting on his retirement, Dhawan shared, “There’s a saying that you need to turn the page to continue the story. Today, I’m turning that page as I announce my retirement from international and domestic cricket. I leave with a sense of peace, knowing that I gave my best for my country. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the BCCI, DDCA, and my fans for their unwavering support over the years.”
Shikhar Dhawan’s illustrious career began with his international debut against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2010. Over the years, he amassed over 10,000 runs across all formats, including 24 centuries- 17 in ODIs and 7 in Test matches.
One of the standout moments in Dhawan’s career was his exceptional performance in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer. Playing under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Dhawan scored 363 runs in five matches at an outstanding average of 90.75, including two centuries and a half-century, leading India to victory.
As Shikhar Dhawan bids farewell to cricket, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. His dedication, resilience, and remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket.
Dhawan appeared in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for India.
His best came in the 50-over format in which he amassed 6793 runs at an average of 44.11. He averaged 40.61 for his 2315 Test runs.