Shikhar Dhawan Announces Retirement from International and Domestic Cricket

Shikhar Dhawan Announces Retirement: A Look Back at His Stellar Career

Opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced effective immediate retirement from both domestic and international cricket. Announcing the news on his social media platforms, the 38-year-old cricket player used a poignant video.

Given his career, Dhawan remarked, “Today when I look back, I only have good memories.” He acknowledged his family, late Tarak Sinha, his boyhood mentor and coach, for imparting the game’s fundamentals. Dhawan also commended his teammates, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) for their support during his career.

Dhawan had an amazing 20-year career beginning with first-class cricket in 2004. He has amassed 34 Test, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20s for India. He scored 6,793 runs in ODIs at an average of 44.11 and 2,315 runs in Tests at an average of 40.61. Celebrated for his ability in multi-team contests, Dhawan scored 24 international centuries and excelled particularly in tournaments such the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and the 2015 World Cup. Still the fastest debut century in Test history is his 85-ball hundred against Australia in 2013.

Last for India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram, 2022 Dhawan In April 2024, he had his final competitive appearance guiding the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Declining his speech with a sense of contentment, Dhawan remarked, “Since I have performed so much for the country, I am at peace when I am calling time on my career. I am grateful for the fans, who over years have showered me with such love.

Shikhar Dhawan’s Career Highlights

International Debut

• • ODI Debut: October 20, 2010, against Australia.
  • Test Debut: March 14, 2013, against Australia.
  • T20I Debut: June 4, 2011, against West Indies.

ODI Records

• • Runs Scored: 6,793 runs in 167 ODIs.
  • Average: 44.11.
  • Centuries: 24.
  • Notable Performance: Scored 137 runs off 146 balls in his debut ODI match.

Test Records

• • Runs Scored: 2,315 runs in 34 Tests.
  • Average: 40.61.
  • Centuries: 8.
  • Fastest Debut Century: Scored 187 runs off 174 balls against Australia in 2013, the fastest by a debutant.

T20I Records

• • Runs Scored: 1,769 runs in 68 T20Is.
  • Average: 28.44.
  • Centuries: 2.

Major Tournament Success

• • 2013 ICC Champions Trophy: Played a pivotal role in India’s victory, scoring 363 runs at an average of 45.37.
  • 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Scored 412 runs, including 2 centuries.
  • 2018 Asia Cup: Played a significant role in India’s victory, contributing crucial runs.

IPL Highlights

• • Teams Played For: Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings.
  • Captaincy: Led Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 season.
  • Notable Performance: Scored 200 runs in a single IPL season, showcasing his consistency.

Leadership Roles

• • Captaincy: Led India in several limited-overs series as a stand-in captain when regular captains were rested.

Fastest Century

• • Test Debut: Scored an 85-ball century against Australia in 2013, the fastest by a debutant.

Shikhar Dhawan had a remarkable career from his aggressive hitting style to his leadership in limited-overs cricket. Notable performance at significant occasions characterised him also. Especially for multi-team events, his still-important contribution to Indian cricket is clear-cut.

Shikhar Dhawan’s Top Innings

2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final vs. England

• • Date: June 23, 2013
  • Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
  • Score: 114 runs off 94 balls
  • Highlight: Dhawan played a pivotal role in India’s victory, anchoring the innings with his century and contributing to a total of 129 runs in the final. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

2015 ICC Cricket World Cup vs. South Africa

• • Date: February 22, 2015
  • Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
  • Score: 137 runs off 146 balls
  • Highlight: Dhawan’s innings was instrumental in setting a strong foundation for India’s total. His knock included 16 fours and 3 sixes and was crucial in India’s win.

2018 Asia Cup vs. Pakistan

• • Date: September 19, 2018
  • Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
  • Score: 114 runs off 122 balls
  • Highlight: Dhawan’s innings led India to a competitive total and helped them secure a victory against Pakistan. His century was significant in India’s successful campaign in the tournament.

2013 Test Debut vs. Australia

• • Date: March 14, 2013
  • Venue: Mohali, India
  • Score: 187 runs off 174 balls
  • Highlight: Dhawan’s 187 was the fastest century on debut in Test cricket. His aggressive innings set the tone for India’s first innings and marked a memorable start to his Test career.

2019 ICC Cricket World Cup vs. Australia

• • Date: June 9, 2019
  • Venue: The Oval, London
  • Score: 117 runs off 109 balls
  • Highlight: Dhawan’s century helped India chase down Australia’s target and was a key innings in the group stages of the World Cup.

2017 ODI vs. Sri Lanka

• • • Date: December 10, 2017
    • Venue: Mohali, India
    • Score: 68 runs off 74 balls
    • Highlight: Dhawan’s innings was crucial in helping India chase down Sri Lanka’s target with ease in this ODI match, showcasing his ability to play under pressure.

2016 IPL vs. Kolkata Knight Riders

• • • • Date: April 16, 2016
      • Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
      • Score: 82 runs off 57 balls
      • Highlight: Dhawan’s innings was instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 159, leading them to victory in this IPL match.

These innings highlight Shikhar Dhawan’s ability to perform in crucial matches and across different formats, making significant contributions to both his national team and in domestic T20 leagues.