Shikhar Dhawan
, India's seasoned opening batsman, has officially announced his retirement from all formats of the game. The decision comes two years after his last appearance in the national team.
Dhawan, who made his international debut in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2010, expressed his satisfaction with his career, having represented India across all three formats.
"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!," Dhawan said in a post on 'X', along with 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. As I bid goodbye to my
cricket
journey, I have peace in my heart that I played for so long," he said.
Dhawan, who honed his skills at Sonnet Club and hails from West Delhi, represented India in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is. However, in recent years, his inconsistent performances and the rise of young opening talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill led to his exclusion from the national team.
Dhawan's most impressive performances came in the ODI format, where he accumulated 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties. In Tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, which included seven centuries.
"I am standing at a point in my life where when I look back, I see only memories; and when I look ahead, I see a new world. I had just one goal in life, to play for India, and I made it happen," he said.
"I am very thankful to DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association), the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and my fans. And that's why I tell myself, don't be sad that you won't play for India again but be happy that you played for your country. And that's the biggest thing for me, that I played," he said in his concluding remarks in the social media post.
Dhawan, hailing from Delhi, had a forgettable start to his international cricket journey, facing only two deliveries before being dismissed without scoring a run.
Despite the early setback, Dhawan bounced back strongly in 2013, securing his position in all three formats of the game for India.
His outstanding performances, including being adjudged the 'Player of the Tournament' in India's triumphant campaign in the Champions Trophy in England, showcased his immense talent and potential.
A standout moment in Dhawan's remarkable career was his scintillating knock of 185 runs against Australia in his debut Test match at Mohali. He displayed his aggressive batting style by reaching his century in a mere 85 balls.
In his Test debut, Dhawan had a stroke of luck when he avoided being dismissed before even facing a ball. As he stood at the non-striker's end, Mitchell Starc accidentally let the first delivery of the India innings slip out of his hand, causing it to fall onto the stumps. Fortunately for Dhawan, the Australians chose not to appeal.
The Delhi-born batsman capitalized on this opportunity, going on to set the record for the fastest century by a Test debutant.
At the height of his career, Dhawan was a spectacular sight, showcasing a wide array of strokes and the ability to hit the ball with immense power.
Throughout his journey, Dhawan expressed gratitude towards those who contributed to his development as a player. He formed a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma at the top of the Indian batting order, which proved to be highly successful for the team.
"I always had one goal in mind that was to play for India and I achieved it thanks to a lot of people. First of all my family, my childhood coach Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma. Under their guidance, I learnt cricket. Then my entire team with whom I played for years, got another family, fame and everyone's love and support," said Dhawan.
Dhawan has cemented his status as an Indian Premier League (IPL) icon, having played in an impressive 222 games throughout his career. During his tenure, he amassed a staggering 6769 runs, which included two centuries and an impressive 51 half-centuries.
Dhawan's prowess in the tournament is further highlighted by his record of hitting 768 fours, the most by any batter in the history of the IPL. Moreover, he etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player to score back-to-back centuries in the competition
He played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's triumphant campaign during the 2016 season, contributing significantly to their title victory. Apart from his stint with Hyderabad, Dhawan has also represented Delhi, Mumbai, and Punjab in the IPL.
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