Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from all cricket.
Shikhar Dhawan left-handed opener, scored 24 centuries in 269 international matches for India
Ankush Pandey
Shikhar Dhawan said on social media on Saturday morning that he was involved in both local and international cricket. In April 2024, Dhawan led Punjab Kings in their final match. He ends his career having amassed 24 hundreds from 269 international matches (17 in ODIs and 7 in Tests).
"It is important to turn the page to move forward in life and so I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket," Dhawan said in a video message. "After playing for India for so long, I am leaving with peace. I tell myself not to be sad that I represented my country, but also not to be sad that I will no longer be able to play for India."
The list of only eight ODI batsmen to score more than 5000 runs at an average of over 40 and a strike rate of over 90 is topped by Dhawan, who made his debut for India in 2010. The other two Indians on the list are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35, he scored 6793 runs in 167 ODIs. His last ODI was played in December 2022 in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
In 34 Test matches, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, and in 68 T20 Internationals, he scored 1759 runs at a strike rate of 126.36.
Dhawan's ODI record is far better than his record in the other two formats, although he made his Test debut in 2013 against Australia at Mohali, scoring a century in 85 balls, the fastest century by a debutant. He made a match-winning 187.
Dhawan's career reached new heights in 2013. In 26 ODIs that year, he scored 1162 runs at a strike rate of 97.89 and an average of 50.52. His biggest achievement was that he scored 363 runs in five innings, including two centuries. During this time, he led India to the Champions Trophy title. This was his first ODI series after five disappointing matches in 2010 and 2011.
A formidable opening partnership with Rohit began in that tournament. In terms of runs scored, the pair are fourth among ODI openers, and their 18-century partnerships at the top are second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly's 21 centuries.
Dhawan's impressive form continued after the Champions Trophy 2013, as he established himself as a vital member of the ODI team over the next few years. He led India in runs in subsequent ODI competitions, including the Champions Trophy in 2017, the Asia Cup in 2018, the World Cup in 2015 and the Asia Cup in 2014.
Dhawan's ODI career had its first significant setback in 2019 when, shortly after making a century against Australia at The Oval, he had to withdraw due to a thumb injury midway through the World Cup in England. Short periods as captain of India's second-string teams during the final stretch of his international career, when regulars were unavailable, were given to Dhawan in recognition of his contributions.
Dhawan has represented Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the IPL, where he is the second-highest run-scorer after Kohli. With a strike percentage of 127.14, he has scored 6769 runs in 222 games.
In domestic cricket, Dhawan's formative years aligned with Delhi's Ranji Trophy triumphs; he was a member of the victorious Delhi side in 2007–08, which triumphed over Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede. In the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, he was also the top run scorer.
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