Shikhar Dhawan, celebrated as one of India’s premier white-ball openers, has announced his retirement from international cricket. At 38, Dhawan has decided to step away from representing India while hinting that he may continue his career in league cricket, particularly the IPL.
In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Dhawan shared his sentiments: “It’s not that this decision is tough for me. I’m not overly emotional or crying. My feelings are mostly of gratitude and love. I’ve spent a major part of my life playing cricket and now feel it’s time for me to rest from both international and domestic cricket.”
Dhawan’s cricket journey began with a modest debut for India in 2010, where he was dismissed for a duck against Australia. It wasn’t until his explosive performance in the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored a record-fast century on debut, that he made a significant mark.
Dhawan’s early success led to his pivotal role in India’s ODI setup. His partnership with Rohit Sharma was instrumental, and together they became one of the most successful opening pairs in ODI history. Dhawan’s standout performances include his Player of the Tournament accolade at the 2013 Champions Trophy and his top-scoring feats at the 2015 and 2017 ICC tournaments.
Despite his prolific run in ODIs, Dhawan’s career faced challenges towards the end. A fractured thumb during the 2019 World Cup was a significant setback, and his dipping strike-rate in T20Is led to his exclusion from the format. Although he continued to shine in the IPL, scoring heavily in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he could not secure a return to India’s T20I squad.
As younger players like Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan rose to prominence, Dhawan’s role diminished. In 2022, he captained India in the West Indies and played in series against South Africa and New Zealand, but his career with the national team dwindled with the emergence of new talent.
Dhawan’s Test career, while marked by an explosive start, did not sustain the same level of success. Despite notable innings, including a memorable 190 against Sri Lanka, his Test career faded after a challenging tour of England.
In August 2023, Dhawan expressed surprise at not being selected for the Asian Games, hinting at his continued aspirations. However, he acknowledged that his time with the Indian team was coming to a close, a sentiment he has often conveyed with a resigned smile.
Dhawan’s legacy in cricket is defined by his explosive batting, pivotal innings, and his role in shaping India’s white-ball success. As he steps away from international cricket, he leaves behind a distinguished career, with hopes of continuing his journey in the IPL.
