Shikhar Dhawan’s Retirement: A Look Back at His Illustrious Career
In a significant development for Indian cricket, Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket. This decision marks the end of a celebrated career that spanned over a decade and saw Dhawan become one of the most influential players in Indian cricket history. Here, we take a closer look at Dhawan’s career, his contributions to the game, and what this retirement means for Indian cricket.
Dhawan’s Career Highlights
Shikhar Dhawan’s journey in international cricket began in 2010, and he quickly established himself as a formidable opener. Over his career, he accumulated an impressive 24 centuries—17 in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and seven in Test matches—across 269 international fixtures. His ability to perform consistently at the highest level is reflected in his remarkable statistics.
In ODIs, Dhawan scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35, making him one of only eight players to have surpassed 5000 runs with such impressive averages and strike rates. His last ODI appearance was against Bangladesh in December 2022. Dhawan’s Test career, while shorter, was equally noteworthy. He amassed 2315 runs in 34 Tests at an average of 40.61, and in T20 Internationals, he contributed 1759 runs at a strike rate of 126.36.
Pinnacle of Dhawan’s Career
Dhawan’s career reached its zenith in 2013, a year that saw him make significant strides in both domestic and international cricket. He scored 1162 runs in 26 ODIs that year, with an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. His performance in the ICC Champions Trophy was particularly memorable, as he amassed 363 runs in five innings, including two centuries, leading India to a title-winning campaign.
This tournament marked the beginning of a highly successful opening partnership with Rohit Sharma. Together, they formed one of the most formidable opening pairs in ODI history. Their record includes being the fourth-highest run-scorers among ODI opening pairs and having the second-most century stands, only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite his success, Dhawan’s career was not without its challenges. The 2019 Cricket World Cup was a turning point, as a thumb injury curtailed his participation. Nonetheless, Dhawan’s resilience and contributions were evident throughout his career. He had notable captaincy stints, leading India’s second-string sides in the absence of regular players, which further demonstrated his leadership and adaptability.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan’s impact was equally significant. He played for several franchises, including Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. With 6769 runs in 222 matches, Dhawan is the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, behind Virat Kohli, and his strike rate of 127.14 highlights his aggressive and effective approach in the T20 format.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His contributions extend beyond statistics, as his presence on the field inspired many and brought excitement to the game. Dhawan’s early success in domestic cricket, including his role in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy victory in 2007-08 and his top run-scoring performance at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004, laid the foundation for a distinguished career.
In his farewell message, Dhawan expressed a sense of fulfilment and peace, stating, “It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life and that’s why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played for so long for India. I tell myself not to feel sad that you will not play for India anymore, but to feel happy that you played for your country.”
As Indian cricket moves forward, Dhawan’s legacy will remain an integral part of the sport’s rich tapestry. His remarkable career, characterised by significant achievements and memorable performances, will be remembered fondly by fans and the cricketing fraternity alike.
