Indian star opening batsman, Shikhar Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from all formats of the game. The decision is coming after two years since last time he was seen playing for the country.
Shikhar Dhawan, who debuted in an ODI against Australia at Visakhapatnam in 2010, said he had a fulfilling career featuring representing India across all three formats. “As I bid farewell to this phase of my life on the cricket field, there are many memories and thanks. Thanks for your Love & Support! Jai Hind!” read a message posted by Dhawan on ‘X’ accompanied with a video.
“It is important to close one chapter in life and move on,” says Dhawan when explaining why he decided to call it quits from international and domestic cricket; “As I say goodbye to my beloved cricket with a content heart that I played so long.”
However, Shikhar Dhawan’s inconsistent displays lately and emergence of young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as Indian openers have seen him miss out on national team selection.
In ODIs though is where Dhawan produced his most impressive performances accumulating 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 including 17 hundreds and 39 fifties. In Test cricket, he managed just 2315 runs averaging at only 40.61 which included seven centuries.
“I stand in one place of my life now where when I look back I see memories only; but when I look forward, there is a new world awaiting me. Just one dream among so many others – to play for India – came true,” stated the player.
“I am very thankful to DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association), the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and my fans. Consequently, what do I tell myself? Don’t be faltering over not playing for the country anymore; be glad that you played for it. The most basic thing for me that is why I have played,” he concluded his social media post.
Shikhar Dhawan’s initiation to the international cricket was a forgettable affair from Delhi as he faced two deliveries before being dismissed without scoring.
Dhawan, who was a great attraction at the top of his career with numerous superb shots and strong hitting power.
Shikhar Dhawan talked several times about people who helped him in becoming a player. He also had an amazing relationship with Rohit Sharma as they opened the batting for India that has done well for the team.
“I always wanted to play for my country and I did it because of so many people. First of all my family, my childhood coach Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma. With their guidance, I learnt cricket. Then my whole team which became another family for me, fame, everyone’s love and support,” Dhawan said.
Throughout his career in IPL, Dhawan has played 222 games which is impressive enough to call him an Indian Premier League (IPL) legend. In this period he made a stunning 6769 runs including two hundreds and fifty one half centuries.
His position as the leading fours hitter in IPL history by smashing 768 boundaries further demonstrates his skill in the competition. Furthermore, he holds a unique record by being the first ever individual to score back-to-back tons in this tournament
In addition to Sunrisers Hyderabad victory campaign in 2016 where Shikhar Dhawan played an instrumental role towards their title victory. In fact other than Hyderabad Dhawan has played for Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab teams during IPL seasons
