Seasoned India opener Shikhar Dhawan out of favour from Team India has finally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket two years after he last donned the national jersey, saying that he leaves the scene 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 India game was also a 50-over match, against Bangladesh in 2022.
‘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!’ Dhawan said in a post on ‘X’.
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
‘It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life and that’s why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. As I bid goodbye to my cricket journey, I have peace in my heart that I played for so long,’ he said.
Dhawan appeared in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for India but had fallen out of favour in the last couple of years due to patchy form and emergence of younger opening talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
His best came in the 50-over format in which he amassed 6,793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties.
He averaged 40.61 for his 2315 Test runs, which featured seven centuries.
“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,” he said.
“I am very thankful to DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association), the BCCI and my fans. And that’s why I tell myself, don’t be sad that you won’t play for India again but be happy that you played for your country. And that’s the biggest thing for me, that I played,” he said in his concluding remarks in the social media post.
At his peak, the Delhi swashbuckler was a sight to behold with his range of strokes and ability to hit powerfully.
He is a bonafide IPL legend, appearing in 222 matches, that yielded 6769 runs, including two hundreds and 51 half centuries.
His 768 fours in the tournament are the highest by any batter and he also holds the distinction of being the first to hit consecutive hundreds in the event.
He was a part of the title-winning Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the 2016 season. He has also played for Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab.
Of these, he captained Delhi and Punjab at various stages of his career. He had appeared for Punjab this season but played in only five matches owing to fitness issues.
Team India Head coach and Delhi team mate Gautam Gambhir Tweeted
Congratulations Shiki on a fantastic career! I know you will spread the same joy through everything you take up in the future! @SDhawan25 pic.twitter.com/yE3mQjKXj5
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 24, 2024
BCCI too thanked Shikhar for great career
Impactful with the bat 💪
Memorable opening knocks 💯
And a pure smile on his face throughout 🤗𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙠𝙝𝙖𝙧 𝘿𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 🫡@SDhawan25 | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/U3ycf7GGvZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 24, 2024
Anil Kumble , Former India Captain
Congratulations on a fantastic career, @SDhawan25! Wish you the best for the next chapter. Happy retirement!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 24, 2024
Virender Sehwag
Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since the time you replaced me in Mohali, you didn’t look back and some top performances over the years. May you continue to have fun and live life to the fullest. Very best wishes always. https://t.co/jHvfLAhp14
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 24, 2024
Ishant Sharma
Jatt ji, congratulations on an incredible journey in our beautiful game! Thank you for being a guiding light and a big brother both on and off the field. Wishing you the best in your next chapter! pic.twitter.com/DHkvFGfsD5
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) August 24, 2024
Rishabh Pant
Congratulations on an outstanding career, shikhi pa. It’s been a pleasure sharing the field with you. Best of luck for your new chapter.🙌♥️@SDhawan25 pic.twitter.com/mqhCgR8N7K
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) August 24, 2024
Cheteshwar Pujara
Wishing you a happy retirement, @SDhawan25! It was an honour to play alongside you and watch you entertain millions with your fearless batting. Here’s to new beginnings! ✨ pic.twitter.com/aNu6s8mMzj
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) August 24, 2024
Yuzvendra Chahal
Happy retirement Shikhar bhaiya
There’s no one like you 🤍 pic.twitter.com/kMZeOchE5R— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) August 24, 2024
