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Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has paid heartfelt tribute to Shikhar Dhawan following his retirement from all forms of cricket. Gavaskar described Dhawan's retirement as a significant loss for the sport, stating that it has left cricket ‘poorer than before’. Dhawan recently announced his retirement from both domestic and international cricket. This marks the end of a distinguished career that began with his international debut in 2010.
Throughout his career, the elegant left-hander gained recognition for his graceful strokeplay and his ability to perform under pressure, especially in ICC tournaments. This earned him the nickname "Mr. ICC."
Dhawan's ODI legacy and challenges
Dhawan's performances in ODI cricket were particularly noteworthy, as he solidified his position as one of India's most dependable opening batsmen. He concluded his career with an impressive tally of over 10,000 runs across all formats for India. However, as Dhawan's career progressed, he faced challenges. Injuries and a decline in form, coupled with the rise of younger talent, led to his gradual departure from the Indian cricket team. Despite these setbacks, Dhawan's contributions to Indian cricket were undeniably significant, and his retirement marked the loss of a cherished figure in the game.
Sunil Gavaskar reveals reason behind Dhawan's retirement
Gavaskar reflected on the challenges faced by opening batsmen, noting that even brief periods of poor form can lead to being dropped from the team. He observed that injuries had been a recurring issue for Shikhar Dhawan in recent years, limiting his opportunities to showcase his talent in white-ball cricket.
Gavaskar suggested that Dhawan's decision to retire might be influenced by these injuries. Additionally, he speculated that Dhawan may have wanted to conclude his career while still enjoying the game.
As Dhawan retires, his legacy as one of India's premier opening batsmen remains intact. However, his absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans and the cricket world, according to Gavaskar.
“Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement from all forms of the game is going to leave the sport poorer than before. The ever-smiling, ever-positive Shikhar, also fondly called ‘Gabbar’, was a player of enormous talent,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
“But as befalls opening batters, a lean series or tournament can mean the selectors wielding the axe. In later years, injuries were part of Shikhar’s career, which seldom allowed him to fully display his skill and probably helped him make the decision to quit the game while he was still enjoying being part of the circuit,” Gavaskar's column further read.
Gavaskar concluded by discussing the challenges of deciding when to retire from a playing career. He noted that the body often provides clear signals when it's time to stop. The legendary cricketer emphasized that making this decision is never easy, but when the body communicates its limits to the mind, it's the right time to retire. Gavaskar expressed his hope that Shikhar Dhawan will continue to bring joy and positivity to his future endeavors. Notably, Dhawan is set to participate in the upcoming LLC 2024.
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