Shikhar Dhawan Retires from Cricket: A Legendary Career Comes to an End

New Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan, the star Indian opener known affectionately as ‘Gabbar,’ has officially retired from international and domestic cricket. On the morning of August 24, Dhawan announced his decision through an emotional video on social media, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned over a decade.

Dhawan, who is nearing 39, had been absent from the Indian team for some time, with young talents like Shubman Gill making it difficult for him to stage a comeback. Despite this, his contributions to Indian cricket remain indelible. He made his ODI debut for India in 2010, followed by appearances in T20 and Test cricket. Over the years, Dhawan became a crucial part of India’s top order, especially known for his explosive starts alongside current captain Rohit Sharma.

In his announcement, Dhawan reflected on his journey with gratitude, thanking his family, childhood coaches, teammates, and fans. “I am standing at a point where when I look back, I only see memories and a new life when I look forward. It was always my dream to play for India, and I got to live it,” he shared.

Dhawan’s career statistics are a testament to his consistency and skill. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he scored 6,793 runs in 167 matches at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In Test cricket, he accumulated 2,315 runs in 34 matches, averaging 40.6, with seven centuries. His T20 International (T20I) record includes 1,759 runs from 68 matches, with an average of 27.9.

Beyond international cricket, Dhawan also had a significant impact in domestic cricket, with 8,499 runs in 122 First-Class matches, including 25 centuries. In List A cricket, he amassed 12,074 runs across 302 matches.

Dhawan’s IPL career was equally impressive. He became the first player to score back-to-back centuries in the tournament and holds the record for the most fours in IPL history, second only to Virat Kohli in terms of total runs scored. Dhawan was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team that won the IPL title in 2016 and also played for several other franchises, including Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings. He captained both Punjab Kings and SRH during his IPL career.

As he bids farewell to the cricketing world, Dhawan concluded with a sense of peace: “I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. As I bid farewell to my cricketing journey, I have peace in my heart. I played a lot for my country. I only say this to myself, that you don’t need to be upset about not playing for your country again, but be happy that you had the opportunity to do so.”

Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of powerful performances and unforgettable moments in Indian cricket.