Shikhar Dhawan, Mr. ICC, retires from international and domestic cricket
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from domestic and international cricket on Saturday, August 24.
Dhawan last played for India in the ODI series against Bangladesh in December 2022 before losing his place to Shubman Gill. The 38-year-old shared a long video message for his fans on his social media handles thanking them for their love and support throughout his career.
The Delhi-born cricketer made his international debut against Australia during an ODI in Visakhapatnam but didn’t have a memorable beginning to his career getting dismissed for a two-ball duck. However, after initial failures, Dhawan made his return to the Indian team in 2013 and sealed his place across all three formats through remarkable performances.
“I always had one goal in mind that was to play for India and I achieved it thanks to a lot of people. First 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, got another family, fame and everyone’s love and support. As it’s said that 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,” said Dhawan 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.
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! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/QKxRH55Lgx — Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 24, 2024
Shikhar Dhawan’s stellar career numbers
Dhawan shattered record books on his Test debut on 16th March, 2013 registering the fastest hundred by a player on Test debut off just 85 balls. He further went on to win the coveted ‘golden bat’ for being the highest run scorer in the back to back editions of the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2017. The southpaw was given the nickname ‘Mr ICC’ for his stellar performances in ICC ODI tournaments for India. Dhawan was also India’s highest run scorer in the 2015 ODI World Cup. He represented India in 167 ODIs and scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35 notching up seven hundreds and five fifties.
He also played 68 T20Is and scored 1759 runs at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36 registering 11 fifties. In the 34 Test matches, Dhawan 2315 runs at an average of 40.61 with seven hundreds and five fifties to his name. After his international and domestic retirement, he will continue to ply his trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL).