Shikhar Dhawan retires from domestic and international cricket

One of India’s greatest one-day batters, Shikhar Dhawan, announced his retirement from domestic and international cricket on Saturday, August 24. Dhawan, who made his ODI debut against Australia in 2010, last played for India in December 2022, after which the management showed clear signs of moving on from him. The 38-year-old uploaded a video on his social media accounts, making the announcement, saying that he would continue to play in league cricket, which is Indian Premier League (IPL) for now and other leagues maybe from next season. 

"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," Dhawan said the video. 

"I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played so long for India. I've told myself don't feel sad that you won't play for India anymore, but feel happy that you played for the country."

With 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, Dhawan didn't let India feel the absence of the likes of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Gautam Gambhir. In the post-2011 World Cup era, he was one of the lynchpins of Indian cricket.

The Delhi opener formed a lethal batting pair with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. For a period of six years, he and Rohit were clearly the best batting pair in the world. In ICC events, Dhawan became India’s greatest trump card, averaging 53.70 in 50-over World Cups and 77.88 in the Champions Trophy. While his journey was cut short by an injury in the 2019 World Cup, he didn't find a place in the side for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Dhawan's performance in ODIs will always hold a special chapter in Indian cricket, but he was more than a decent opener in Tests as well, averaging 40.60. On his debut against Australia in Mohali, Dhawan scored 187 runs - an innings of absolute fluidity. However, he struggled big-time in England, Australia, and South Africa, for which India had to do away with him. Dhawan, however, never lost hope and continued to make inroads to be available in limited-overs cricket and even led the country in 12 ODIs and three T20Is. 

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