When Ishan Scored That 200, I Knew It Was Over: Shikhar Dhawan Opens Up On Retirement

In August 2024, Shikhar Dhawan formally introduced his retirement from all types of Indian cricket, drawing the curtains on a glittering worldwide profession. Identified for his fearless strokeplay, unwavering confidence, and ICC match dominance, Dhawan earned the nickname ‘Mr. ICC’a nod to his behavior of delivering on the largest levels.

From being the Participant of the Match in India’s victorious 2013 Champions Trophy marketing campaign to topping the run-charts in each the 2015 ODI World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy, Dhawan averaged a staggering 65 in ICC occasions. In complete, he completed his ODI profession with 6793 runs in 167 matches at a powerful common of 44.11, together with 17 a whole bunch and 39 fifties.

‘When Ishan Scored That 200, I Knew’

Dhawan’s last look in India colors got here through the 2022 tour of Bangladesh, a collection that silently marked the tip of an illustrious chapter. It was in that very collection {that a} 24-year-old Ishan Kishan etched his identify into the file books by smashing a panoramic 210 off 131 balls, turning into the youngest and quickest Indian to attain a double century in ODIs.

Watching from the sidelines and scoring simply 3 runs in that very recreation, Dhawan’s instincts instructed him that his time was up.

“When Ishan Kishan scored that 200, my intuition instructed me, alright boy, this may be the tip of your profession. An internal voice got here to me. And that’s what occurred,” Dhawan instructed Hindustan Instances.

“My buddies came visiting to provide me that emotional assist. They thought I’d be very down. However I used to be chilling, I used to be having fun with,” he added with a smile, reflecting his signature grace and composure.

Used To Being Dropped – No Bitterness, Solely Gratitude

The veteran opener, now 39, spoke candidly about how he didn’t obtain any messages from teammates after being dropped. Nonetheless, he emphasised that he bore no resentment and noticed it as a pure a part of skilled cricket.

“No, it doesn’t occur that method. Possibly I spoke to Rahul bhai (Dravid), he messaged me. Everybody has their very own journey… we’re used to it from the age of under-14. This isn’t the primary time I’m getting dropped,” Dhawan stated.

Regardless of his dignified exit, Dhawan’s influence on Indian cricket particularly in white-ball codecs stays unmatched. A fearless opener who liked to entertain, Dhawan signed off with the identical calm he typically dropped at the crease, not with regrets, however with gratitude and poise.

Because the baton passes to the subsequent era of Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan leaves behind not simply numbers however a legacy of aptitude, enjoyable, and unforgettable ICC match knocks.