The Indian cricket star, Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket with immediate effect.
The southpaw used his social media to announce his retirement from his 13-year career for India, during which he featured in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, hitting 2315, 6793, and 1579 runs in each format.
The 38-year-old’s final match for India was an ODI versus Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022, whereas his last T20I was in Sri Lanka in July 2021. Dhawan has not appeared in a Test for India since 2018. His last professional outing was for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in April, after which an injury terminated his season abruptly.
The player, with a net worth of INR 125 crore, praised his family, fans who showed him affection, childhood trainers, and the many Indian and IPL clubs he has played for during his career.
Dhawan said in a video message, “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. I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played for so long for India. I tell myself not to feel sad that you will not play for India anymore, but to feel happy that you played for your country.”
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
‘The Gabbar’ made his Test debut in 2013 with an 85-ball century against Australia in Mohali, the quickest by a debutant. He went on to score 187 in a match-winning performance.
Dhawan’s career peaked in 2013. That year, he scored 1162 runs in 26 ODIs, with an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. The cherry on the cake was his record-breaking 363 runs in five innings, comprising two centuries, in India’s Champions Trophy triumph.
In his IPL career, Dhawan has notched 6,769 runs from 222 games and won a title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, building an essential opening partnership with David Warner.
The opening batter captained 15 matches (12 ODIs and 3 T20Is) for India, and 33 games for PBKS and SRH, throughout the IPL and the previous Champions League T20. He had an 8-5 record when he captained India, with two no-results. He guided the team to ODI series victories against Sri Lanka in 2021 and West Indies and South Africa in 2022. Yet, during franchise competitions, Dhawan struggled with the responsibility of captaining the team, having a win-loss record of 13 victories and 20 losses.
In domestic cricket, Dhawan’s initial stages coincided with Delhi’s Ranji Trophy glory, as he was a member of the title-winning side in 2007-08, which defeated Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede.