Shikhar Dhawan has officially retired from both international and domestic cricket, ending a career that spanned over 13 years. The left-handed batsman made his announcement on social media, marking the conclusion of his time with the Indian cricket team, where he played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, amassing 2,315, 6,793, and 1,579 runs, respectively.
In his retirement video, Dhawan shared, “To move forward in life, it’s essential to turn the page.I’m declaring my retirement from both domestic and international cricket because of this. I’ve told myself not to be sad about no longer playing for India, but to be happy that I had the opportunity to represent my country.”
The 38-year-old last represented India in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. His final T20I appearance was in July 2021 against Sri Lanka, while his last Test match dates back to 2018. Dhawan’s most recent competitive game was for the Punjab Kings in the 2024 IPL against Sunrisers Hyderabad, after which an injury prematurely ended his season.
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Dhawan expressed his gratitude to his family, fans, childhood coaches, and the various Indian and IPL teams he represented throughout his career.
Dhawan’s journey to stardom began with the 2004 U-19 World Cup, where he scored three centuries and accumulated 505 runs. Alongside Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, he was a key player in Delhi’s formidable batting lineup, known for his powerful offside game and elegant cover drives. Dhawan made his ODI debut for India in 2010 against Australia, although it ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a duck.
However, his Test debut in March 2013 against Australia at Mohali was a different story. He made history by scoring the fastest century on Test debut, reaching the milestone in just 85 deliveries. Dhawan’s partnership with Rohit Sharma in 2013 played a crucial role in India’s success, particularly in the Champions Trophy, where he scored 363 runs, including two centuries, helping India secure the title in England.
One of Dhawan’s standout performances came during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored a remarkable 137 against South Africa at the MCG, taking on top bowlers like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Vernon Philander. This performance solidified his reputation as a dependable player in ICC events. Dhawan started the 2019 World Cup in similar fashion with a century against Australia, but a thumb injury forced him to miss the rest of the tournament.
In the IPL, Dhawan had an illustrious career, scoring 6,769 runs in 222 matches and winning the championship with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, where he formed a vital partnership with David Warner. As the years went by, his appearances on the international stage became less frequent.
Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and memorable moments on the field.