Shikhar Dhawan Retires from International and Domestic Cricket After 13-Year Career

Indian cricket's 'Gabbar', Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on Saturday, 24 August. Dhawan informed about this decision through an emotional video message on the social media platform 'X'. 37-year-old Dhawan made his debut for the Indian team in 2010. Dhawan was one of the key batsmen of Team India for 13 years. During this time, he made his strong presence felt in Tests, ODIs and T20s. Dhawan said, 'When I look back now, I see a lot of memories and when I look forward, I see the whole world.'

Shikhar Dhawan played his first Test match against Australia in Mohali in 2013. In his Test career, Dhawan took part in 34 matches, in which he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61. He has 7 centuries and 5 half-centuries to his name. Dhawan's highest Test score is 190 runs, which he made against Australia. He got a chance to play a Test match for the last time in 2018, after which he was dropped from the Test team.

Dhawan also made important contributions to the Indian team in ODI and T20 formats. He played his first ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2010. Dhawan scored 6793 runs in 167 matches in ODIs, which includes 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His strike rate was 91.35. Dhawan also scored 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries in T20 Scored 1759 runs in 68 matches, including 11 half-centuries. Dhawan won many matches for the team with his aggressive style.

Shikhar Dhawan also maintained his dominance in the IPL. He is one of the most successful batsmen in IPL history. With 6769 runs in 222 matches, he is second only to Virat Kohli. Dhawan scored runs in the IPL at an average of 35.26 and a strike rate of 127.14. He has 2 centuries and 51 half-centuries to his name in the IPL. On the strength of this performance, Dhawan made his special mark in T20 cricket.

Shikhar Dhawan also gave an emotional farewell message along with announcing his retirement. He said in the video, 'Today I am ending this chapter of my cricket journey, but I am also taking countless memories and gratitude with it.' Dhawan expressed special gratitude to his coaches Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma, thanks to whom he reached this point. Dhawan also thanked his fans and said that their prayers always inspired him to move forward.

Although Shikhar Dhawan has retired from international and domestic cricket, he has not announced any retirement from IPL. Dhawan was seen playing for Punjab Kings in 2024, but he could not play many matches due to injury. In such a situation, it is expected that Dhawan can be seen playing in the 2025 IPL. With this decision of his, his fans can get a chance to watch more cricket.