Cricket: Shikhar Dhawan recently announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career that began in Delhi and left an indelible mark on the global stage. The news of his retirement, shared on social media, left Indian cricket fans stunned.
Over his 14-year career, Dhawan’s calm demeanor, both on and off the field, distinguished him from other Indian cricket legends. Known as “Gabbar” for his iconic ‘thigh celebration,’ Dhawan made a lasting impact in every game he played, whether in international matches or the Indian Premier League.
Dhawan made his international debut in October 2010 in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam. Although his first outing ended with a two-ball duck, it was the beginning of his journey toward becoming a modern-day white-ball cricket great.
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
Initially, Dhawan’s career was a slow burn, but he connected with fans in 2013 with his memorable celebration during a match against Australia in Mohali. His innings of 187 runs made him a natural successor to Sourav Ganguly.
Throughout his career, Dhawan became known for his exceptional performances in limited-overs cricket. In 167 ODI matches, he scored 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, with 17 centuries and 39 fifties. In T20Is, he played 68 matches, amassing 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.
Dhawan also occasionally captained the Indian team in white-ball cricket and became the fastest player to reach 6,000 runs in ODIs, achieving the milestone in just 141 matches. He is among the few players to score over 5,000 runs and complete 50 dismissals in ODIs.
His accolades include being named Player of the Tournament in the 2004 U-19 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2018 Asia Cup. As he steps away from the game, Dhawan’s legacy as a white-ball cricket icon remains firmly cemented.