NEW DELHI: Former Indian men's cricket opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, bringing to an end a career spanning over a decade and 269 matches. Dhawan scored 10,867 runs at an average of close to 40. He last played for India in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong in December 2022.
Dhawan announced his retirement in a social media post. In a video message, Dhawan said, “To move forward in life, it is important to open a new page and that is why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket…I leave with joy in my heart having played for India for so long. Instead of feeling sad that I will no longer be able to play for India, I am telling myself to feel happy that I was able to play for the country.” Dhawan, who made his debut for the senior men's Indian team in 2010, made his first mark in international cricket on his Test debut against powerful Australia at Mohali in 2013. He scored a hundred in 85 balls, the fastest by a debutant, and scored 187 in the innings.
However, his most glorious career achievements came in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In 164 innings out of 167 ODIs, Shikhar scored 6,793 runs at an astounding average of 44.11 and a strike-rate of 91.35. He became the second-fastest Indian player to score 6,000 runs in ODIs after Virat Kohli. Dhawan achieved the feat in just 143 matches. He retires as one of only eight batsmen to have scored more than 5,000 runs in ODIs while maintaining an average of 40 or above and a strike-rate of 90 or above.
But now that he's announced his retirement after being left out of the Indian team for over a year and fading under the radar, the question remains: What will be the legacy of Shikhar Dhawan, once considered one of the modern-day greats? What will Indian cricket's 'Gabbar' be remembered for? The answer lies in his consistent and worthy performances in ICC tournaments, especially ICC ODI events, the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.
2004 U-19 World Cup: Early Signs
Much before making his debut for the Indian national team, Shikhar had proven himself at the under-19 level. In the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, Dhawan was the tournament's leading run-scorer, scoring 505 runs at a strike rate of 93.51 at an average of 84.16.
Dhawan scored three centuries and one fifty in the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament despite India's loss to Pakistan in the semi-finals. With 505 runs, Dhawan held the record for the most runs in a single U-19 World Cup until 2022, when South Africa's Dewald Brevis broke the record with one more run.
ICC Champions Trophy 2013: The birth of Shikhar Dhawan
England and Wales hosted the Champions Trophy in 2013. Prior to the Champions Trophy, Dhawan played five ODIs for India in 2010-11 but scored just 69 runs, but a brilliant performance in a Test match against Australia in 2013 earned him a comeback in the ODI squad.
Statistically speaking, 2013 was Dhawan's best year in ODIs. He scored 1162 runs in 26 matches at an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. So he didn't just get runs, he got them fast. Even more impressive was his performance in the 2013 CT.
After 2011, Dhawan made a comeback to the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in 2013 and was entrusted with the responsibility of opening the bats for India in the Champions Trophy. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and scored a tournament-high 363 runs in just five matches.
Dhawan began the season with consecutive hundreds against South Africa and the West Indies, then scored 48 against Pakistan and 68 against Sri Lanka before producing a decisive 31 off 24 balls in a rain-affected final against hosts England.
His best batting came in the opening match between India and the Proteas in Cardiff, when he smashed the likes of Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Rory Kleinfeldt and Ryan McLaren all around the ground to score his first ODI century. He was eventually run out for 114, but this was after hitting one six and 12 fours off just 94 balls.
Dhawan, who averaged 90.75 and recorded a strike rate of 101.39, was named Player of the Tournament.
After receiving the Player of the Tournament award, Dhawan said, “I had dreamed of this award. I am really happy. The bouncy track suits my style of play. I have worked hard in training sessions and warm-up matches. It feels even more special as I have been away from the team for a few years.”
ICC World Cup 2015: The rise of Dhawan
Dhawan became a key player in India's ODI team following his brilliant performance in the 2013 Champions Trophy and continued his good form in the 2015 ODI World Cup.
He started well for India in their opening match at the Adelaide Oval with a 72-run smash against arch rivals Pakistan and also scored two centuries in the tournament, against South Africa and Ireland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
His most brilliant and entertaining batting performance during the tournament came against South Africa, again at the MCG. India had been defeated by the Proteas all three times they had faced South Africa in the World Cup – in 1992, 1999 and 2011. Even in the 2015 World Cup, South Africa boasted a fearsome line-up featuring the likes of Steyn, Morkel, Imran Tahir, AB de Villiers, Faf, Hashim Amla and de Kock.
When India chose to bat first, they needed to put South Africa under pressure straight away. However, Rohit Sharma was ducked out in the third over. The match was crucial and the team was under pressure. Dhawan rose to the occasion, taking on all the South African bowlers and forging crucial partnerships with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
Dhawan hit 18 boundaries, including two sixes, to score 137 in the match as India defeated South Africa by 130 runs for the first time in a World Cup.
Shikhar was India's top run-scorer in the tournament with 412 runs in eight matches at an average of 51.50.
ICC Champions Trophy 2017: The onslaught continues
Shikhar's bat continued to wreak havoc on opposing teams in the Champions Trophy 2017. Dhawan's impressive performance in the Champions Trophy 2017 was a continuation of his good form from the previous tournament, as he began the tournament with a solid score of 68 as the opener against Pakistan.
In the next match against Sri Lanka, Dhawan showcased his batting skills by scoring a brilliant century of 125. He continued his good form against South Africa, scoring a valuable 78 runs.
Dhawan scored 338 runs in five innings at an average of 67.60 to become the tournament's leading run-scorer and win the Golden Bat award for the second consecutive year.
ICC World Cup 2019: The last dance
India started their World Cup campaign on a high note with a comfortable win over South Africa in their first group match. Their next match was against Australia at the Oval, a significant one given the fact that Australia had ended India's 2015 World Cup campaign in the semi-finals.
Facing a formidable bowling line-up of Starc, Coulter-Nile and Pat Cummins, Dhawan produced a batting masterclass of the highest order and scored a magnificent century as he scored 117 off 109 balls, hitting 16 fours in the innings as India defeated Australia by 36 runs.
His hundred against Australia was his final appearance for India in an ICC event as injury ruled him out for the remaining matches of the tournament.
The undisputed champion of ICC ODI events
Though Shikhar Dhawan has decided to retire, it is difficult to deny the fact that he was an absolutely key player for India as far as ICC ODI events are concerned.
Shikhar Dhawan's performances in ICC 50-over tournaments, including the ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy, have been exceptional. In the 20 innings he has played in these tournaments, he has scored six centuries and crossed the 50-run mark 10 times.
Dhawan's average in these tournaments is the highest among the 51 batsmen to have scored 1,000 or more runs, just ahead of Virat Kohli's average of 64.55. The list also includes the likes of Sir Vivian Richards, Saeed Anwar and Kane Williamson.
Looking at his World Cup performances individually, Dhawan maintained an average of 53.70 in 10 innings. His record in the Champions Trophy is even more remarkable, averaging 77.88 in the same number of innings.
