After a career that spanned over a decade, India’s seasoned opening batsman, Shikhar Dhawan, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The announcement comes two years after his last appearance for the national team. Dhawan, who made his international debut in an ODI against Australia in 2010, expressed his satisfaction with his career, having represented India across all three formats.
Dhawan, who honed his skills at Sonnet Club in West Delhi, represented India in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is. In recent years, inconsistent performances and the emergence of younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill led to his exclusion from the national team.
Despite facing setbacks early in his career, Dhawan quickly became a force to be reckoned with. He rose to prominence in 2013, securing his place in all three formats of the game for India. His outstanding performances, including being named the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in India’s triumphant campaign in the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, showcased his immense talent and potential.
One of the standout moments in Dhawan’s career was his scintillating knock of 185 runs against Australia in his debut Test match at Mohali. He displayed his aggressive batting style by reaching his century in a mere 85 balls. His Test debut was marked by a stroke of luck when he avoided being dismissed before even facing a ball, capitalizing on the opportunity to set the record for the fastest century by a Test debutant.
Dhawan’s most impressive performances came in the ODI format, where he accumulated 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties. In Tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, which included seven centuries. He formed a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top of the Indian batting order, which proved to be highly successful for the team.
Beyond the international stage, Dhawan has cemented his status as an Indian Premier League (IPL) icon, having played in an impressive 222 games throughout his career. During his tenure, he amassed a staggering 6769 runs, which included two centuries and an impressive 51 half-centuries. Dhawan’s prowess in the tournament is further highlighted by his record of hitting 768 fours, the most by any batter in the history of the IPL. Moreover, he etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to score back-to-back centuries in the competition. He played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s triumphant campaign during the 2016 season, contributing significantly to their title victory. Apart from his stint with Hyderabad, Dhawan has also represented Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab in the IPL.
As he closes this chapter of his cricketing journey, Dhawan expressed gratitude towards those who contributed to his development as a player, including his family, childhood coach Tarak Sinha, and Madan Sharma. In his retirement message, 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!” He added, “I am standing at a point in my life where when I look back, I see only memories; and when I look ahead, I see a new world. I had just one goal in life, to play for India, and I made it happen.” Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, but his legacy as a fearless and entertaining batsman will continue to inspire generations to come.
