Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024.
This decision marks the end of a notable career spanning over a decade, during which he became one of India’s most successful opening batsmen.
In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Dhawan reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career.
He emphasized that playing for India was his ultimate dream, which he fulfilled with pride. “I only had one dream and that was to play for India, and I even achieved that,” he stated, acknowledging the contributions of his family, coaches, and teammates.
Notably, he thanked his childhood coach, the late Tarak Sinha, and Madan Sharma, who played pivotal roles in his cricketing foundation.
Dhawan’s international career began in 2010, and he represented India in 34 Tests, 167 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He amassed over 10,000 runs across formats, including 24 centuries—17 in ODIs and 7 in Tests.
His standout performances include being the leading run-scorer in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he scored 363 runs in five matches, significantly contributing to India’s victory under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Reflecting on his retirement, Dhawan mentioned that it was an emotional but peaceful decision. “It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life,” he remarked, indicating his readiness to embrace new opportunities beyond cricket. He expressed contentment with his achievements and a desire to explore ventures in business, entertainment, and possibly politics, stating, “I am open to everything… I just want to go with the flow”.
Dhawan’s last appearance for India was in December 2022 during an ODI series against Bangladesh. Since then, he has been replaced in the team by younger players like Shubman Gill.
As he steps away from the game, Dhawan leaves behind a legacy of resilience and excellence, having given “half of [his] waking life to cricket” and now looking forward to new beginnings.
After announcing his retirement from international and domestic cricket, Shikhar Dhawan has expressed a desire to explore various new avenues in his post-cricket career.
In an exclusive interview, he shared his excitement about the future, stating that he is open to opportunities in business, entertainment, and even politics.
