Shikhar Dhawan calls time on his illustrious career and retires from all forms of cricket
Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket through a heartfelt message on social media. In his emotional farewell, the left-handed batter reflected on his illustrious career and expressed gratitude to his fans and the BCCI.
In the video, the Delhi cricketer expressed his appreciation, stating, “I’m at a point where I look back and see only memories, and looking ahead, I see a new life unfolding. Playing for India was a dream come true, and I’m grateful to many people for that. First and foremost, my family, my childhood coaches, and my teammates who have been with me for so long. They’ve given me a new family, fame, and love. But as they say, to move forward, you have to turn the page.”
The Punjab Kings skipper further added, “There’s a saying that to fully appreciate a story, you must turn the page. That’s exactly what I’m doing now. I am announcing my retirement from both international and domestic cricket. As I conclude this phase of my career, I find peace in knowing that I have given so much to the nation.”
He also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Dhawan said, “I am grateful to BCCI and DDCA for providing me with this opportunity. I also want to thank the fans for their unwavering support over the years,” the left-hander added. He reassured himself, saying, “I’m not dwelling on the fact that I won’t represent India again, but rather cherishing the fact that I had the privilege of playing for the country for so long. For me, the greatest achievement is having played.”
Dhawan made 34 Test appearances, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India between 2010 and 2022, accumulating over 10,000 runs in international cricket. He played a crucial role in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win and their semi-final run in the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, he was overlooked by selectors for the 2023 World Cup.
His final matches for India came in the home series against South Africa and New Zealand in 2022. With younger talents like Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan eyeing for the opening spot, Dhawan struggled to hold his place in the team. The southpaw shone brightly on ODIs smashing 6,793 runs in 167 games, with an average of 44.1 and a strike rate of 91.3.
Dhawan also led India in 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is). Additionally, he captained two IPL teams, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in a total of 33 games across the IPL and the former Champions League T20.
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