‘From your fearless debut to … ‘: Virat Kohli’s touching farewell note for Shikhar Dhawan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Shikhar Dhawan, one of India’s greatest opening batsmen, announced his retirement from cricket through an emotional video on social media. Following his announcement, former and current cricketers alike congratulated ‘Gabbar’ on a remarkable career.
Over the past decade, the Indian national cricket team established itself as one of the most formidable batting units in the world.
The team’s batting lineup, led by the lethal opening partnership of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, followed by Virat Kohli at number three, made India a force to be reckoned with by bowlers globally.
“Shikhar @SDhawan25 from your fearless debut to becoming one of India’s most dependable openers, you’ve given us countless memories to cherish. Your passion for the game, your sportsmanship and your trademark smile will be missed, but your legacy lives on. Thank you for the memories, unforgettable performances and always leading with your heart. Wishing you the best in your next innings, off the field Gabbar!

Dhawan and Kohli played together for India from 2011 to 2022, partnering in 60 matches. The duo amassed 3,430 runs together, averaging an impressive 60.17 runs per partnership, including 10 century stands and 15 half-century stands.
During Dhawan’s 13-year international career, he played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, scoring 2,315, 6,793, and 1,579 runs respectively across the three formats.

Beyond his international achievements, Dhawan also made a significant impact in the Indian Premier League, representing Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Punjab.
In 222 IPL matches, he scored 6,769 runs, including two centuries and 51 half-centuries.
Dhawan’s final appearance for India came in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022, while his last T20I was in Sri Lanka in July 2021. He last played a Test for India in 2018.