New Delhi: Stylish Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from domestic and international cricket on August 24. The 38-year-old played his last game for India during the ODI series against Bangladesh in 2022.
He shared a long video message on Instagram and said that he had one goal in mind which was to play for India and he achieved his dream because of his childhood coach. Dhawan also thanked his teammates and called them his another family.
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
Dhawan made his international debut during the ODI series against Australia in Visakhapatnam. The Indian opener created history on his Test debut by scoring the fastest hundred in 85 balls. He won the ‘golden bat’ for scoring the most runs in the back-to-back editions of The Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2017.
Dhawan scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11 in 167 ODIs, registering seven centuries and five half-centuries. He also played 68 T20Is and scored 1759 runs at a strike rate of 126.36. He has scored 2315 runs in 34 Test matches at an average of 40.61.
‘Thankful to my first captain’: Shikhar Dhawan
After making his debut in the ODI series against Australia, Dhawan struggled to perform on the big stage. He made his comeback in the 2013 and got the backing of captain MS Dhoni. Dhawan also went through a rough patch before the start of the 2015 ODI World Cup and the former skipper backed him again.
“My test debut in 2013, where I made 187 against Australia. When I made a century in 85 balls, I had no clue that I had set a world record for the fastest century by a debutant. Then there was the 2019 ODI World Cup innings at the Oval against Australia. I was playing at 25 runs when that happened. I just downed a painkiller and continued batting. I made 117 of 109 balls in that inning and was the player of the match. Mahi Bhai backed me when i went through lean patch. I’m thankful to my first captain, MS Dhoni, for backing me” Dhawan said in an interview with Hindustan Times.
Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from domestic and international cricket on August 24. He thanked the former India skipper for backing him during his lean patch. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
