In a heartfelt announcement, Indian cricket stalwart Shikhar Dhawan has officially retired from international and domestic cricket. The 38-year-old left-handed opener, who has been a pivotal figure in Indian cricket for over a decade, made the announcement on Saturday morning. As Dhawan steps away from the pitch, former teammates and cricketing legends have showered him with tributes, reflecting on his remarkable career.
A Glittering Career
Shikhar Dhawan, affectionately known as “Gabbar” by fans and teammates, enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 13 years. He played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India, amassing 2,315, 6,793, and 1,579 runs, respectively, across these formats. His contributions were particularly notable in ODIs, where he scored 17 centuries, cementing his place as one of India’s most reliable openers. Dhawan’s final appearance for India was in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022, marking the end of an era.
Tributes from Cricketing Greats
Following Dhawan’s announcement, social media was flooded with messages from cricketing legends and fans alike. Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Dhawan, expressing confidence that he would continue to spread joy in his future endeavors. “Congratulations Shiki on a fantastic career! I know you will spread the same joy through everything you take up in the future!” Gambhir wrote.
Virender Sehwag, who Dhawan replaced as India’s opener, also extended his congratulations. Sehwag fondly recalled the moment Dhawan took his place in the Indian team and lauded his top performances over the years. “Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since the time you replaced me in Mohali, you didn’t look back and delivered some top performances. May you continue to have fun and live life to the fullest,” Sehwag shared.
Fond Memories and Well-Wishes
Punjab Kings, Dhawan’s IPL team, celebrated his achievements, recalling the countless runs, trophies, and memorable moments he provided on the field. They expressed excitement for his next chapter, writing, “Runs, trophies, and countless memories! Happy retirement, Gabbar! Can’t wait to see you thigh-five your way into the next innings of life!”
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer added to the praise, highlighting Dhawan’s role as a team player and a man for big tournaments. “Never got the plaudits he deserved but knowing him, he didn’t care who got the applause as long as the team was winning. A team man through and through. Congratulations on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings,” Jaffer wrote.
Looking Ahead
As Dhawan steps away from the game, fans and former players alike are eager to see what the future holds for the man who brought so much joy to Indian cricket. With his charismatic personality and winning smile, there’s little doubt that Dhawan will continue to make an impact in whatever he chooses to do next.
Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian cricket, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
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