Shikhar Dhawan hangs his boots and bat, quits all forms of cricket

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who represented India in 34 Test matches, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20 Internationals, besides playing 88 first-class games (other than Test matches) announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The left-hander, who is a co-owner of the South Delhi Superstarz franchise in Delhi Premier League, burst into international arena with a 187 in debut Test in Mohali against Australia.

He was part of the India squad at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup and returned as the top run-getter from there with 505 runs, ahead of England’s Alastair Cook (383).

Dhawan was expected to make the India grade soon after his U-19 World Cup success but he had to wait till 2010 to make his India debut. After a few ODIs and a T20I, Dhawan finally broke into international limelight in March 2013 when he scored 187 off 174 balls in a Test match against Australia. He continued to be part of the India team, scoring 2,315 runs in 34 Tests with seven centuries and five fifties, 6,793 runs in 167 ODIs with 17 tons and 39 fifties, and 1,759 runs in 68 T20Is with 11 half-centuries. He averaged 40.61 in Tests, 44.11 in ODIs, and 27.92 in T20 Internationals. He has 8,499 runs in all 122 first-class matches.

“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!” tweeted Dhawan while posting a video.

“I am at a stage from where when I look back, I only see memories and when I look ahead, I see the whole world. I had only one target in life, to play for India, and that happened too and for that I am very grateful to so many people. First of all my family, my coaches from childhood Tarak Sinha, Madan Sharma, under whose guidance I learnt cricket.

“Then my team, with which I played for years. I got a family, name, and love from you all. They say it is important to turn the pages in life. I am doing that, announcing retirement from domestic and international cricket. I am grateful that I could play for the country for long. Thankful to BCCI and DDCA who gave me an opportunity. I am happy that I played for the country.”

At his peak, Dhawan was a swashbuckling, aggressive batsman who scored freely. He last played Test cricket in September 2018. His last ODI was in December, 2022 while his last T20I was in July, 2021.

He last played for Delhi in a first-class game in December, 2019. Some say that the 38-year-old’s failure to represent Delhi post his marriage in Australia also hurt his batting as he didn’t return to domestic circuit to keep his batting well-oiled and sans chinks.

Dhawan’s last competitive T20 appearance was in April this year in Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey in IPL.

Tags : Shikhar Dhawan, India Cricket, IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad