<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">India's seasoned opener, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/shikhar-dhawan-retires-will-he-be-available-to-play-in-ipl-next-year-23379963" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Shikhar Dhawan</strong></a>, on Saturday, announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 38-year-old brought the curtains down on his illustrious career by taking to Instagram and sharing an emotional message to announce his decision. He thanked everyone who supported him in his remarkable career, which saw him earn various accolades.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I am standing at a point where when I look back, I only see memories and a new life when I look forward. It was always my dream to play for India, and I got to live it. I am thankful to a lot of people for that. First of all, my family, my childhood coaches and then my team that I played with for so many years. I got a new family, fame and love. But it is said that to move forward, you need to flip the pages," Dhawan said in a video posted on his official Instagram handle.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. As I bid farewell to my cricketing journey, I have peace in my heart. I played a lot for my country. I only say this to myself, that you don't need to be upset about not playing for your country again, but be happy that you had the opportunity to do so," he concluded.</span></p>
<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a class="color-white ng-binding" href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/in-photos-throwback-to-the-times-when-shikhar-dhawan-and-wife-aesha-redefined-couple-goals-14232">Throwback to the times when Shikhar Dhawan and wife Aesha redefined couple goals</a></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his illustrious career, runs effortlessly came off Dhawan's bat. He represented India across all formats, but ODI was his forte.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended its heartfelt congratulations to Dhawan for his dynamic contributions throughout his career. "As Shikhar Dhawan retires from International and Domestic cricket, we wish him all the very best for the road ahead," BCCI posted on X.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">?? ? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ???????? ??? ????????? <br /><br />As Shikhar Dhawan retires from International and Domestic cricket, we wish him all the very best for the road ahead ??<a href="https://twitter.com/SDhawan25?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SDhawan25</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/nH5DVTHraP">pic.twitter.com/nH5DVTHraP</a></p>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1827208855148724480?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/shikhar-dhawan-retires-from-gabbar-to-greatness-reflecting-on-his-white-ball-cricket-ascent-23379981">From 'Gabbar' to greatness! Reflecting on his white-ball cricket ascent</a></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag praised Dhawan for his "exceptional performances" over the years, noting his impactful role since taking over as the team&rsquo;s opener.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since the time you replaced me in Mohali, you didn't look back and some top performances over the years. May you continue to have fun and live life to the fullest. Very best wishes always," Sehwag said.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Badhaai ho Shikkhi. Ever since the time you replaced me in Mohali, you didn&rsquo;t look back and some top performances over the years. May you continue to have fun and live life to the fullest. Very best wishes always. <a href="https://t.co/jHvfLAhp14">https://t.co/jHvfLAhp14</a></p>
&mdash; Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) <a href="https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1827213240918823136?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">India&rsquo;s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, expressed optimism that Dhawan would continue to inspire and bring joy in his future pursuits.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations Shiki on a fantastic career! I know you will spread the same joy through everything you take up in the future! <a href="https://twitter.com/SDhawan25?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SDhawan25</a> <a href="https://t.co/yE3mQjKXj5">pic.twitter.com/yE3mQjKXj5</a></p>
&mdash; Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1827208820201758914?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IPL franchise Punjab Kings also celebrated Dhawan&rsquo;s illustrious achievements, reflecting on his numerous runs, trophies, and unforgettable moments, while eagerly anticipating the next chapter in his journey.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Runs, trophies and countless memories! Happy retirement, Gabbar! Can't wait to see you thigh-five your way into the next innings of life!" Punjab Kings wrote on X.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"A man for the big tournaments. Never got the plaudits he deserved but knowing him he didn't care who got the applause as long as team was winning. A team man through and through. Congratulations on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings," former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer wrote on X.</span></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A man for the big tournaments. Never got the plaudits he deserved but knowing him he didn't care who got the applause as long as team was winning. A team man through and through. Congratulations on a stellar career and all the best for your second innings <a href="https://twitter.com/SDhawan25?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SDhawan25</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/Y4fMBbIIfR">pic.twitter.com/Y4fMBbIIfR</a></p>
&mdash; Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) <a href="https://twitter.com/WasimJaffer14/status/1827184646972698717?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The 38-year-old brought the curtains down on his illustrious career by taking to Instagram and sharing an emotional message to announce his decision

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