Senior cricket player Shikhar Dhawan declared his retirement from all sorts of domestic and foreign cricket on Saturday, August 24. His most recent competitive match happened during the 2024 version of Indian Premier League (IPL) when he captained Punjab Kings against SunRisers Hyderabad.
For almost 13 years, Dhawan played for India in 34 tests, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is. In these matches with Men in Blue, left-handed batsman hit seven Test centuries and seventeen ODI hundreds with more than 10,000 international runs.
While he first gained fame by scoring an impressive hundred off only 85 balls against Australia in Mohali Test, Dhawan was truly an ODI legend during his era. He had an outstanding season during India’s winning campaign at the Champions Trophy 2013 where he made a total of 363 runs from five innings including two centuries. Overall that year, he made 1162 runs from ODIs at an average of 50.52 with a strike rate of 97.89.
In the IPL, Shikhar Dhawan has played for teams such as Deccan Chargers (now defunct), Delhi Capitals, Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians and Punjab, making him an IPL legend. He is second on the tournament’s all-time list of run scorers after Virat Kohli with 6,769 runs in 222 matches – including 2 hundreds and 51 fifties.
Dhawan’s retirement from international cricket left fans feeling dejected. They went on various social media platforms to express their sorrow. Here are the reactions:
End Of an era 💔
Shikhar Dhawan Retirement From International and Domestic.
Happy Retirement Gabbar.
All the best new inning ❤@SDhawan25#shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/S9rgqcjk9r
— Kiran Choudhary (@kiran132_) August 24, 2024
Thank you for all the memory's happy retirement legend ❤️#ShikharDhawan #Cricket #CricketUpdate #Prabhas #shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/3NUdWanOaB
— Sandeep (@SandeepBunny_VJ) August 24, 2024
> be him
> highest run in CT 2013
> highest run in WC 2015
> highest run in CT 2017
> wife leaves him
> lost his child
> excluded from WC squad
> still smiles
> Retires from cricket, doesn't explain further
> absolute chad in my book#shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/3cNAt7GblP— R𝕏 (@twitrboyy) August 24, 2024
Shikki paazi 🥺👏 Miss you ❤️
~ Forever one of best opener for india 🔥 🔥 #shikardhawan #dhawan #CricketTwitter #Teamindia pic.twitter.com/WEpiN88SBE
— Roarclub (@Roarclubnews) August 24, 2024
End of an era… Gabbar
Shikhar Dhawan RETIRED from INTERNATIONAL CRICKET.!!
– Thanks for the memories, 🙌#shikardhawan #retirement pic.twitter.com/qvBbvQqtpL
— Sunny yadav (@RaoSachin45) August 24, 2024
– Most runs for India in CT 2013
– Most runs for India in WC 2015
– Most runs for India in CT 2017
– Most runs for India in Asia Cup 2018SHIKHAR DHAWAN, AN ABSOLUTE GREAT OF INDIAN WHITE-BALL CRICKET ⭐ Retires from International & Domestic cricket.@SDhawan25 #shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/VEyIXBZz0v
— urumb_fb (@UrumbFb) August 24, 2024
The most memorable scoreboard of our best top 3 💪🏻🔥
This score will always live in our hearts and memories.❣️🥹
"Happy Retirement" #shikardhawan pic.twitter.com/vbfoY8MTIG
— JD CriCo (@Gaurav_05Kumar) August 24, 2024
You used to dominate ICC tournaments like no one else,
Thank you very much for all the memories.
Happy Retirement Gabbar ❤️#shikardhawan https://t.co/TnMvKsKpvS— Raghav M (@Inyour_Timeline) August 24, 2024
You deserved more chances
Man of big tournaments
Thanks for the great knocks #shikardhawan https://t.co/6RA0BlXdOQ— Kartik Shrivastava (@iamkartikvikram) August 24, 2024
“It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life” – Shikhar Dhawan commented on his retirement
In his announcement on social media regarding his retirement from all formats of cricket, Shikhar Dhawan expressed that it was time to bring an end to his career which lasted for more than ten years serving India. The cricketer also said in a video posted on various platforms that he had to come to terms with this choice because he has represented the nation for more than ten years.
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
“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,” he said in a video posted on his social media accounts.
“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.”
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