Veteran Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan has called it quits from international and domestic tournament. He announced his retirement through a video message on 24th August 2024. Wishes have flown in for his international career from all corners of the world. Former India opener, Wasim Jaffer, also wished Dhawan for his spectacular career.
Jaffer took to ‘X’ and acknowleged Dhawan for being the man to step up for India in big tournaments. He also praised Dhawan for his selflessness as he gave his all to make his team win without getting much of the personal recognition. Wasim Jaffer called Dhawan a ‘team man’ and wished him well for his stellar career.
“A man for the big tournaments. Never got the plaudits he deserved but knowing him he didn’t care who got the applause as long as team was winning. A team man through and through. Congratulations on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings.” Jaffer wrote in a Tweet.
Shikhar Dhawan has 24 hundreds to his name In international cricket
Dhawan formed a sensational opening partnership with Rohit Sharma since opening together for the first time in ICC Champions Trophy 2013. ODI cricket had been the most fruitful format for Dhawan and he bossed the format to the best of his abilities. He always stepped up for India in big ICC tournaments and helped India achieve massive success.
He was the leading run-scorer in his first ICC tournament in Champions Trophy 2013. He helped MS Dhoni’s team to become Champions without losing a single game. Dhawan has had an incredible international career with 24 international centuries in 269 international outings.
He has scored 17 hundreds in ODIs and seven hundreds in Test cricket. The left-hander was an elegant and consistent performer in ODI cricket till 2022, until his lack of form and the emergence of Shubman Gill sidelined him from the ODI team.
He was not part of the ODI World Cup 2023 at home and was informed by the selectors that he will not be part of the team going forward and they have moved on from him.
“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. I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played for so long for India. I tell myself not to feel sad that you will not play for India anymore, but to feel happy that you played for your country,” Dhawan said in a video message.
Dhawan made his international debut in 2010. Dhawan also captained India in several limited-overs series whenever regular skippers had to be rested.
