After a fruitful career spanning over a decade in international and domestic cricket, Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan, lovingly known as "Gabbar," announced his retirement on his social media handle. In his retirement video, he expressed gratitude towards his family, teammates, coaches, and most especially the fans who have been a significant part of his journey. Dhawan's partnership with Rohit Sharma has been a highlight of India's cricket history.
Shikhar Dhawan Announces Retirement: A Farewell to "Gabbar"
After a illustrious career spanning over a decade, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has bid farewell to the game. Fondly known as "Gabbar," Dhawan leaves behind an impressive legacy as a prolific batsman both at the international and domestic levels.
Background
Dhawan made his international debut in 2010 and quickly established himself as an explosive opening batsman. He became a cornerstone of the Indian batting lineup, forming a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma. Together, they were known for their aggressive approach and ability to provide India with flying starts in limited-overs cricket.
Throughout his career, Dhawan scored over 17,000 runs across all formats, including 10,289 in ODIs and 6,180 in T20Is. He was part of India's 2013 Champions Trophy and 2023 Asia Cup-winning squads.
Retirement Announcement
On December 19, 2023, Dhawan announced his retirement via a video message on social media. He expressed his gratitude for the support he had received throughout his career, acknowledging the role of his family, teammates, coaches, and fans.
Top 5 FAQs
Dhawan has not publicly disclosed any specific reasons for his retirement, but it is likely due to a combination of factors, including age, injury, and a desire to spend more time with his family.
The Indian team management has not yet named a permanent replacement for Dhawan, but several young openers, such as Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, are in contention for the spot.
Dhawan has not confirmed any plans for a coaching career, but he has expressed his desire to remain involved in cricket in some capacity.
Dhawan had many memorable innings throughout his career, but his 187 against Australia in the 2015 Cricket World Cup is widely regarded as one of his most iconic knocks.
Dhawan is affectionately known as "Gabbar" after a character played by Amjad Khan in the 1975 Bollywood film "Sholay." The nickname was given to him by former teammate Virender Sehwag due to his aggressive and fearless style of play.
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