Experienced Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has formally declared his exit from international and local cricket. The 38-year-old player announced his retirement on social media, contemplating his successful career with satisfaction and appreciation.
Dhawan who began his international career in 2010 has been a part of India’s cricketing history since then. His last match in an Indian shirt was against Bangladesh in 2022 as part of the one-day internationals(O.D.Is). In his emotional farewell post on X (formerly Twitter), Dhawan expressed his peace and satisfaction with his cricketing journey.
“I guess it’s essential to leave the past behind and make progress in life, which is why I am declaring my retirement from international and national cricket”. “Goodbye to my cricketing career”, said Dhawan “I don’t have any anxiety because I played for many years”. He also thanked his supporters and all cricketers, especially those at the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who have been his companions throughout his professional life.
The cricketing career of Dhawan for India saw him playing in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). However, he was most effective in ODIs scoring 6,793 runs out of which 17 were centuries while 39 were half-centuries making his average 44.11. He recorded a total of 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61 during his career as a Test player with seven hundred to show for it.
Although Dhawan’s form has dipped in recent years and he has been increasingly challenged by younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, his contribution to the team has remained vital. His explosive batting style and strong strokes established him as a top performer during his time in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he took part in 222 matches scoring 6769 runs with two hundred and fifty-one half-centuries.
Dhawan’s IPL career is marked by achievement as he has taken his place as the tournament’s player with the highest number of fours (768) and is the first among its athletes to make consecutive centuries. In 2016, during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s victorious run for the title, he was a significant asset. Nonetheless, while representing other teams including Delhi, he also captained both Mumbai and Punjab at different intervals of time.
Dhawan during the ongoing season had some health complications that limited his trips to Punjab; nevertheless, his mark in Indian cricket will always be there. As he hangs up his boots forever novelties would cease to exist in the minds of millions who have watched him play like a dreamer would watch stars twinkle in a clear night sky.
