India’s veteran opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on Saturday morning, August 24.
Former Indian cricketers including Virender Sehwag and fans have congratulated Shikhar Dhawan for his stellar performances in the national cricket team.
The Delhi-born cricketer made his international debut for India in the 2010 ODI against Australia. Dhawan last played for the Indian national cricket team in the same format in 2022 against Bangladesh.
His last T20I came during the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021. He last played a test match in September 2018.
The southpaw has produced impressive performances for the Men in Blue throughout his career, particularly in the white-ball cricket formats.
Dhawan scored 6,793 runs at an average of 44.11 in 167 ODIs, including 17 centuries. He scored 2315 runs in 34 Tests and added 1759 runs in 68 T20I matches.
Keep The Fun On – Virender Sehwag On Shikhar Dhawan
Virender Sehwag congratulated Shikhar Dhawan on his retirement. Sehwag recalled Dhawan getting his role in the Test team during the home series against Australia and added that he hasn’t looked back since. The 45-year-old Sehwag wished the left-handed batsman success in his future endeavours.
“Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since you replaced me in Mohali, you haven’t looked back and have put in some top performances over the years. Keep having fun and living life to the fullest. Wishing you all the best,” wrote X (formerly known as Twitter) in response to Sehwag Dhawan’s retirement video.
Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since you replaced me in Mohali, you haven’t looked back and have put in some top performances over the years. Keep having fun and living life to the fullest. Best wishes always. https://t.co/jHvfLAhp14
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 24, 2024
Virender Sehwag was dropped from the Test XI after a poor performance in the Hyderabad Test during the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Sehwag failed to reach 50 runs in the previous nine innings. The former Indian batsman scored his last Test century against England three months ago.
Dhawan replaced Sehwag in the playing XI for the Mohali Test. He played an innings of 187 runs against Australia on his debut.
Dhawan set records for highest runs on debut Test and fastest debut century. He reached his century in just 85 balls. The southpaw was adjudged Man of the Match in Mohali.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, the 38-year-old described the knock as his best Test performance. He revealed that he was unaware that he had scored a world record for the fastest century by a debutant.
“My Test debut was in 2013, where I scored 187 against Australia. When I made a century in 85 balls, I had no idea that I had scored a world record for the fastest century by a debutant,” the southpaw told Hindustan Times.
Shikhar Dhawan played 34 Tests for India. He scored 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61 with seven centuries and five half-centuries. The veteran has struggled to maintain that form abroad. He had a disappointing outing in England in 2018 and was dropped from Test cricket by the selectors.
Also read: Will Shikhar Dhawan make his commentary debut? The Indian legend drops the biggest clue
