Star Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of a remarkable journey in the world of sports. Known for his fiery batting and crucial contributions to the Indian cricket team, Dhawan shared his decision through a heartfelt social media post that left fans and cricket enthusiasts emotional.
Farewell to Cricket
In his retirement message, Dhawan expressed deep gratitude to his family, coaches, teammates, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career. Reflecting on his cricketing journey, Dhawan said, “I want to thank many people, especially my family and my childhood coaches, Tarik Sinha and Madan Sharma, who helped shape my cricketing career. I gained a new family with my teammates, and I received immense love and recognition.”
Dhawan’s announcement comes after being continuously sidelined from the national team. Despite his illustrious career, the star opener has decided to step away from the game that brought him fame and admiration. In his video message to fans, he shared memories of his cricketing days and expressed pride in representing India on the global stage.
Dhawan’s International Cricket Journey
Dhawan, who made his international debut in 2010, became one of India's finest opening batsmen. His career includes 34 Test matches, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 T20 International (T20I) games. The 37-year-old cricketer played his last international match on December 10, 2022, against Bangladesh in an ODI held in Chattogram.
Over his 13-year career, Dhawan amassed 2,315 runs in Test matches at an average of 40.61, including seven centuries and five half-centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was a phenomenal 190. In ODIs, Dhawan scored 6,793 runs with an impressive average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35, making 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries along the way. He also had a notable T20I career, scoring 1,759 runs in 68 matches, including 11 half-centuries.
Dominance in the IPL
Apart from his international career, Dhawan left a significant mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his consistency, he became one of the most successful batsmen in the tournament’s history. With 6,769 runs from 222 matches, Dhawan ranks second in the list of highest run-scorers in IPL history, just behind Virat Kohli. His IPL record includes two centuries and 51 half-centuries, with a batting average of 35.26 and a strike rate of 127.14.
The Last Innings
Dhawan played his last international Test match in September 2018 against England at The Oval, where he struggled with the bat, scoring just 3 and 1 runs in the two innings. His final T20I appearance was against Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 29, 2021, where he was dismissed for a duck. Despite these tough endings, Dhawan’s contributions to Indian cricket remain monumental.
A New Chapter Begins
As Shikhar Dhawan bids farewell to international cricket, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations. His passion, dedication, and achievements have cemented his place as one of the most cherished cricketers in Indian cricket history. While he may no longer be seen on the field, fans are eager to see what new challenges Dhawan will embrace in the next chapter of his life.
With his retirement, Indian cricket loses one of its brightest stars, but the memories and milestones he created will continue to shine for years to come.
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