Shikhar Dhawan, former India captain, hung up his spiked boots from domestic and international cricket, on Saturday, August 24. Dhawan last represented India in the ODI rubber versus Bangladesh in 2022. The left-handed batter shared the news via a message on various social media platforms.
“There is a saying you need to turn the page to read the full story. That’s what I am going to do. I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. When I am calling time on my career, I am at peace because I have played so much for country,” Dhawan noted via his social media handles.
“I am thankful to BCCI and DDCA for giving me the opportunity. I am also thankful to the fans, who has given me so much love over the years. I am telling myself one thing that don’t be sad that you will not be able to represent India again but he is happy that he has played for India for so long. For me the biggest thing is that I played,” the left-hander added.
Dhawan’s potential first came into the limelight when he ended up as the leading run-getter (505 runs) in the Under-19 World Cup, held in Bangladesh, in 2003-04. By then, he had already scored heavily in the Cooch Behar and CK Nayudu Trophies, averaging over 50 in both those tournaments.
However, he had to bide his time before making his debut for the senior Indian team. Although he had earned his maiden India cap, in an ODI versus Australia, in 2010, he was in and out of the side. The turning point of his career came during the 2012-13 domestic season, where he succeeded across formats in the Challenger, Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy.
He carried his form into Test cricket, with a blistering 187 on his Test debut, against Australia, in Mohali. His other notable efforts in Tests were – 190 versus New Zealand at the Eden Gardens, alongside his 115 and 98, in Auckland and Wellington, respectively. He also composed a fine hand of 81 at the Gabba, in 2014.
Some of Dhawan’s best efforts came in ODI cricket, where he accrued 6793 runs at a healthy average of over 44. Dhawan also aggregated 537 runs at an average of 53.7 and strike rate of 94.21 in 50-over World Cups. He also averaged a whopping 90.75 and 67.6, across two ICC Champions Trophies, in 2o13 and 2017 respectively. In fact, he has as many as 17 tons in that format. Dhawan’s highest ODI score of 143 came against Australia in the 2018-19 series played at home.
Dhawan also accumulated 1792 runs at an average of 27.92 in the shortest format for the country. He led India in 12 ODIs and 7 T20I games.