Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24. Dhawan posted a video thanking his fans for all the support.
“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!” the left-handed batter wrote on X.
"I always had one goal in mind that was to play for India and I achieved it thanks to a lot of people. First all 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, I got another family, fame and everyone’s love and support. As it’s said that in order to move ahead in the story you need to flip over the pages. Hence, I’m also doing that. I’m announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket," the southpaw said in the video.
“And now when I’m bidding adieu to my cricketing journey, I have the satisfaction that I played a lot for my country. I’m really thankful to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and DDCA (Delhi & District Cricket Association) for giving me this opportunity and all of my fans for their love and support. I just say this to myself that don’t be sad that you won’t play for your country again but always be happy that you played for your country. And it’s the biggest achievement for me that I played,” he added.
The 38-year-old made his last appearance on the international stage against Bangladesh in 2022. His last competitive cricket appearance was in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain.
Dhawan's international cricket numbers
Dhawan made his ODI debut against Australia in 2010 and bagged a two-ball duck. He went on to score 6,793 runs from 167 games at an average of 44.11 including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. He is India's 10th highest run-scorer in ODIs. He formed a formidable opening partnership with current skipper Rohit Sharma. He played a pivotal role in India's ICC Champions Trophy 2013 win.
In T20Is, he scored 1,759 runs from 68 games at an average of 27.92 including 11 fifties. He made his Test debut against Australia and scored 187. He broke the record for fastest Test hundred on debut from just 85 balls. He scored 2,315 runs from 34 Tests at an average of 40.61 including seven centuries and five fifties.
Dhawan’s IPL career
Dhawan made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredvils) in the inaugural edition. He played for IPL franchises -- Mumbai Indians (MI), now-defunct Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings.
Dhawan is currently the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history. He has scored 6,769 runs from 222 games at an average of 35.25 including two centuries and 51 half-centuries.
Dhawan has captain SRH and PBKS. From 27 games as captain, he saw victory in 10 games. During IPL 2024, he got injured and Sam Curran led the side in his absence.
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