India’s top-order batter Shikhar Dhawan on Saturday, August 24, announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket. The 39-year-old shared the news through a post on social media.
He last played competitive cricket in April 2024, when he captained the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He hangs up his boots with a record of 24 centuries—17 in ODIs and seven in Tests—across 269 international matches.
“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 during an ODI series against Australia at home. He retires as one of only eight ODI batters with over 5,000 runs, with an average of over 40 and a 90-plus strike rate—joining Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the other Indians on this elite list. Overall, he has accumulated 6,793 runs in 167 ODIs, boasting an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. He last played an ODI for India against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022. Meanwhile, in Tests he has scored 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61, and in 68 T20Is, he tallied 1,759 runs with a strike rate of 126.36.
His notable performance for India in Tests came in 2013 when he scored a century in just 85 balls against Australia in Mohali. He scripted a record with his performance as it marked the fastest by a debutant. Following this, he scored a match-winning 187.
Dhawan’s breakthrough year was 2013 as he accumulated 1,162 runs in 26 ODIs at an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. His most notable performance came in the Champions Trophy, where he scored 363 runs in five innings, including two centuries, which was crucial for India’s title win. His form in 2013 continued well beyond the Champions Trophy as he emerged as the top run-scorer for India in several major tournaments following that year, including the Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017, and Asia Cup 2018. Additionally, his ODI career faced a significant setback when he sustained an injury midway through the Cricket World Cup in England.
In the IPL, he has represented several franchises, including Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. The 39-year-old is the second-highest run-scorer in the history of IPL, with 6,769 runs in 222 matches at a strike rate of 127.14. Speaking about his domestic career with Delhi, he has contributed to their title-winning team in 2007-08. He was also the top-run scorer for India at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.
