Recently, Shikhar Dhawan decided to stop playing cricket in all formats. Sunil Gavaskar, a famous former Indian cricketer, believes that Dhawan’s retirement makes cricket less exciting. Gavaskar also thinks that injuries might have played a role in Dhawan’s decision to retire. During his career, Dhawan scored 6,793 runs in 167 one-day matches with an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35, including 17 centuries. In 34 test matches, he scored 2,315 runs with an average of 40.61 and hit seven centuries, including 189 on his debut against Australia at Mohali. In 68 Twenty20 matches, he scored 1,759 runs with a strike rate of 126.36.
“Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement from all types of cricket will make the sport less exciting. Shikhar, who was always smiling and positive and is also known as ‘Gabbar,’ was a very talented player. But, like many opening batters, a few bad games or tournaments can lead to the selectors removing them from the team.”
“As Shikhar got older, he often got injured, which didn’t let him show his best skills. This might have led him to decide to stop playing while he still liked being in the game,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
Dhawan was the top scorer for India when they won the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. He continued to be the top scorer for the team in several tournaments, including the 2014 Asia Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, and 2018 Asia Cup.
He also led the Indian team when the more experienced players weren’t there, and he was the best player in the 2004 U19 World Cup. He played for teams like Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is the second-highest scorer after Virat Kohli.
Gavaskar believes that retired cricketers now have more opportunities to contribute to the sport, and Dhawan can explore any path that will delight cricket fans. On Monday, it was announced that Dhawan, aged 38, has joined the Legends Cricket League, which will hold its next season in September.
Additionally, Dhawan is involved in charitable activities and recently became a co-owner of the South Delhi Superstars team in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL). “Making that decision is the toughest thing. But when your body signals to your mind, ‘Enough, enough,’ that’s the right time to step away.”
“Today, retired cricketers have many more ways to stay involved with the game, and Shikhar could certainly take advantage of those. Whatever he decides to do, he will do it with the same enthusiasm that he brought to the game and that endeared him to teammates and fans,” he concluded.