Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir shared a heartfelt post after Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket.
Gautam Gambhir congratulated Shikhar Dhawan for his “fantastic run” and added that he will spread the same joy in his second innings.
The Delhi-born cricketer announced his retirement just weeks ahead of the mega IPL 2025 auction.
The 38-year-old suffered a shoulder injury during IPL 2024 and had to miss matches for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He also missed several matches during the 2023 season with the same franchise.
Shikhar Dhawan played 34 Test matches, 167 ODIs and 68 T20Is for India. The left-handed batsman scored 10,867 runs with 24 centuries and 55 half-centuries across three formats.
He last played for India in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022. Dhawan was not considered for the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil.
Congratulations to Shikhar Dhawan for a fantastic career – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir was quick to react after Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement was announced on Saturday, August 24.
Gambhir expressed confidence that Dhawan will bring the same joy to his future endeavours. The head coach of Team India shared a picture of Dhawan on his Instagram story.
“Congratulations Shiki on a fantastic career! I know you will bring the same joy to everything you undertake in the future!” Gambhir wrote.
Congratulations, Shiki, on a fantastic career! I know you will bring the same joy to everything you undertake in the future! @SDhawan25 pic.twitter.com/yE3mQjKXj5
– Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 24, 2024
Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan played together for the Delhi state team. Gambhir also shared a dressing room with Dhawan in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Daredevils in the early seasons. They also played together for the Indian national cricket team in international cricket.
A man for the big tournaments – Wasim Jaffer
Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer congratulated Shikhar Dhawan on his retirement. Jaffer praised Dhawan for his contributions to major tournaments. The former batsman noted that Dhawan always prioritised team success over individual recognition. He wished Dhawan all the best for his future endeavours.
“A man for the big tournaments. He never got the praise he deserved but knowing him, he didn’t care who got the plaudits as long as the team won. A team man through and through. Congratulations on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings @SDhawan25,” Jaffer wrote.
A man for the big tournaments. He never got the plaudits he deserved but knowing him, he didn’t care who got the plaudits as long as the team won. A team man through and through. Congrats on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings @SDhawan25 🤗 pic.twitter.com/Y4fMBbIIfR
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 24, 2024
Dhawan played a major role in India’s victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy. He also put in an impressive performance during India’s semi-final at the 2015 ODI World Cup, including a knock against South Africa. Dhawan scored a century against Australia during the 2019 ODI World Cup despite a thumb injury.
Shikhar’s last international match was during the ODI series against Bangladesh in 2022. With Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad emerging, Dhawan fell down the pecking order. The veteran opening batsman last played a T20I match in July 2021 and last played a Test match for India in 2018.
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