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Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s most prolific and beloved cricketers, has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, marking the end of a remarkable 14-year career. The 38-year-old made the announcement through an emotional video on his social media accounts, bringing an era of his cricketing journey to a close.
“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,” Dhawan said in the video. “I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played so long for India. I’ve told myself, don’t feel sad that you won’t play for India anymore, but feel happy that you played for the country.”
Shikhar Dhawan’s international career has been nothing short of stellar. He retires with 24 international hundreds—17 in ODIs and seven in Tests—across 269 matches. His contributions, especially in One Day Internationals (ODIs), have etched his name among the modern greats. He is one of only eight batters in ODI history to have scored over 5,000 runs with an average above 40 and a strike rate exceeding 90. Among Indians, only Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli share this elite distinction.
Dhawan’s last appearance for India came in the ODI series against Bangladesh in December 2022. While he was versatile across formats, his ODI performances stood out, earning him recognition as one of the most reliable openers in Indian cricket. His international debut in Tests remains unforgettable, as he stunned the cricketing world with a blistering 85-ball century against Australia in Mohali—still the fastest century by a Test debutant.
The year 2013 was a turning point for Dhawan. He amassed 1,162 runs in ODIs at an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. His heroics at the ICC Champions Trophy, where he scored 363 runs in five innings, including two centuries, helped India clinch the title. This performance marked the beginning of a formidable opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, a duo that would go on to become the fourth-best in ODI history and second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for India.
Dhawan’s consistency was a hallmark of his career, as he emerged as the top scorer for India in multiple ICC tournaments and Asia Cups between 2013 and 2018. However, his ODI journey hit a snag during the 2019 World Cup when a thumb injury ruled him out midway through the tournament, just after he had scored a century against Australia.
In the later stages of his career, Dhawan was entrusted with the responsibility of leading India’s second-string sides, showcasing his leadership skills and calm demeanor. His influence extended beyond international cricket to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he remains the second-highest run-scorer behind Kohli, with 6,769 runs across 221 innings.
Dhawan’s domestic career also saw significant achievements. He was part of the Delhi team that won the Ranji Trophy in 2007-08 and was the top run-scorer for India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.
As Shikhar Dhawan steps away from the international stage, he leaves behind a legacy of elegance, resilience, and unmatched consistency. His journey from a promising Delhi boy to an international cricket icon will continue to inspire future generations.
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