Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket two years after finally donning the national jersey, saying he left the scene as a content man after representing the country in all three formats.
The 38-year-old made his international debut in 2010 in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam and his last match for India was also a 50-match, against Bangladesh in 2022.
“As I close this chapter of my cricketing journey, I bring countless memories and gratitude. Thank you for your love and support! Jai Hind!,” Dhawan said in a post on ‘X’.
“It is important to turn the page to move forward in life and that is why I announced my retirement from international and domestic cricket. When I said goodbye to the cricket journey, I had peace in my heart that I had had for a long time,” he said.
A product of the Sonnet Club and a fighter from West Delhi, Dhawan featured in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for India but has fallen out of favor in recent years due to poor form and the emergence of younger opening talents like Yashasvi. Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
His best came in the 50-over format where he amassed 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties. He averaged 40.61 for 2315 tests, featuring seven centuries.
“I stand at a point in my life when I look back, I only see memories, and when I look forward, I see a new world. I have only one goal in life, to play for India, and I have made it happen,” he said.
“I am very thankful to DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association), BCCI and my fans. And that’s why I told myself, don’t be sad that you won’t play for India again, but be happy that you are playing for your country. And that’s it’s the biggest thing for me, what I’ve done,” he said in the introduction in a social media post.
The Delhi-born batter did not enjoy a memorable start to his international career, being dismissed for a two-ball duck.
However, after early struggles, Dhawan returned to the Indian team in 2013 and cemented his place in all three formats with impressive performances including being named Player of the Tournament in India’s successful Champions Trophy campaign in England.
One of the highlights of his illustrious career is the brilliant 185 he scored against Australia in his Test debut in Mohali, having raced to a century in just 85 balls with a flurry of boundaries.
Dhawan, however, may have been out before he had faced the ball on his Test debut. The first delivery of India’s innings slipped out of Mitchell Starc’s hands and fell on the stumps with the debutant coming out of the ground behind the non-striker.
Australia did not appeal, and the flamboyant Dhawan took advantage of it by setting the record for the fastest century by a Test debutant.
At his peak, the Delhi swashbuckler looked impressive with his range of punches and ability to strike hard.
Dhawan did not forget to thank those who helped him become a player, forming a good partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top of India’s batting order.
“I always had one goal which was to play for India, and I got it thanks to many people. First, my family, junior coaches Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma, with their guidance, I learned cricket.
“Then all the teams I played for many years, got another family, fame and love and support of everyone. I just say this for myself, don’t be sad if you don’t play for your country anymore, but always be happy if you play for your country. And the biggest achievement I have done,” Dhawan added in the video.
He is a bonafide IPL legend, appearing in 222 matches, which resulted in 6769 runs, including two hundreds and 51 half-centuries.
His 768 fours in the tournament were the highest by any batsman and he also had the distinction of being the first to score consecutive hundreds in the event.
He was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team that won the title in the season 2016. He also played for Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab. Of these, he captained both Delhi and Punjab at various stages of his career.
He has featured for Punjab this season but has played only five matches due to fitness issues.