Shikhar Dhawan, the opener and one of the most popular players in the Indian team, stated on June 9, 2024, that he was leaving international cricket. The decision came after a successful period of time for the Indian cricket team, where Dhoni had been playing for over a decade, scoring crucial runs, building crucial partnerships, and helping India emerge victorious in numerous tournaments. It is possible to describe this career as one marked by aggression and consistency. Dhawan is famously known as the ‘Gabbar’ of Indian cricket and he was particularly famous for his aggressive style of playing. He was famous for some special ‘traits’ like controlling the bowlers right from the initial over and getting centuries in a hurried pace. His combination with Rohit Sharma was something to marvel at, especially in the shorter format of the game, as the two formed a deadly partnership as openers. The right-handed opening batsman Dhawan first played for India in the year 2010 and has been an integral part of the team ever since. He was successful in India’s victorious campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 where he scored a century during the final against England. He also played crucial roles in helping India win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
The decision by Dhawan to retire came in as a shock to many people, especially because he was still giving his best on the cricketing field. But he also mentioned that he cannot afford to play international cricket frequently and to spend more time with his family as some of the reasons for his resignation. People were dismayed but held him in high regard when they heard the news of his planned retirement. People on the micro blogging site started to congratulate him and express their thankfulness for his contribution to Indian cricket.
There is no denying the fact that Shikhar Dhawan has left his imprint on the Indian cricket team. He will be remembered like one of the most entertaining and influential openers of his generation. His assertive method of playing and his temperament to score heavily in any form of the game provided him as a great strength to the Indian team. This is a big blow to Indian cricket since Dhawan is one of the best players, who has represented the country in many games. His absence will certainly be missed but his legacy and contribution to the sport will remain a reference for future generations of cricketers. For his fans around the world, the memories of his marvelous career will linger on as he transitions to the other phase of his life.