Shikhar Dhawan has officially brought down the curtain on his nearly 14-year-long career with Team India. On Saturday ( August 24), the veteran left-handed batter took to social media to announce his retirement from international cricket, sharing a heartfelt video message with his fans and well-wishers worldwide.
Retirement from domestic cricket and IPL
In his announcement, Dhawan made it clear that his retirement extends beyond international cricket. He has also decided to step away from domestic cricket, signaling the end of his 17-year-long association with the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision marks the conclusion of a storied career in both international and domestic formats.
A storied IPL career
Dhawan’s journey in the IPL was marked by significant contributions across multiple franchises. He began his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural 2008 season, where he scored 340 runs in 14 matches, including four half-centuries. Over the years, he represented several teams, including Mumbai Indians (2009-2010) and Deccan Chargers (2011-2012). His most extended stint was with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he played for six seasons (2013-2018) before moving to Delhi Capitals for three seasons (2019-2021). His potential final IPL chapter was with Punjab Kings, where he played from 2022 to 2024.
Heartfelt tribute from Punjab Kings
Following his retirement announcement, PBKS, Dhawan’s IPL team, paid a touching tribute to the cricketing star. The franchise shared a series of emotional posts on social media, celebrating his contributions and wishing him the best for his future endeavors. They expressed their gratitude and extended their warmest wishes for Dhawan’s next innings in life, acknowledging his remarkable impact both on and off the field. The chances are high that frnachise might not retain Dhawan for the 2025 edition due to his age and fitness purpose.
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5 potential replacements for Shikhar Dhawan in PBKS:
1. Rohit Sharma
- Strengths: Rohit Sharma is a seasoned campaigner with extensive experience as both an opener and a leader. His record of leading Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles is a testament to his captaincy skills. Rohit’s ability to remain calm under pressure and guide his team through challenging situations is unparalleled.
- Role: As an opening batter and captain, Rohit would provide PBKS with stability at the top of the order and experienced leadership. His knack for building innings and accelerating at the right moments would be crucial for PBKS.
- Reason: With Mumbai Indians potentially moving on from Rohit in favor of younger leadership, PBKS could seize the opportunity to bring in a proven winner. Rohit’s leadership could be the tactical masterstroke PBKS needs to end their title drought, leveraging his extensive experience and success in the IPL.
2. Kane Williamson
- Strengths: Kane Williamson is known for his calm and composed leadership, coupled with his ability to anchor the innings. His experience and strategic thinking make him an excellent choice for captaincy.
- Role: Williamson could take on the role of captain and anchor at PBKS, bringing stability to the batting order. His ability to build partnerships and steer the innings in challenging conditions would be invaluable.
- Reason: Having spent most of the last season on the bench for Gujarat Titans, Williamson might be eager for a fresh start where he can play a more significant role. PBKS could see him as a captaincy option, capitalizing on his leadership skills and batting prowess to lead the team towards a potential title. His strategic mind and experience could be the catalyst for PBKS to achieve consistent success.
3. David Warner
- Strengths: David Warner is a prolific run-scorer and one of the most successful overseas batters in IPL history. His aggressive style at the top of the order sets the tone for his team, and his captaincy has been lauded for its tactical brilliance.
- Role: As an opening batter, Warner would provide explosive starts and could rejuvenate PBKS’s top order. His leadership experience, including leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to an IPL title, makes him an attractive captaincy option.
- Reason: Given Warner’s below-par performance in IPL 2023, Delhi Capitals might release him ahead of the 2025 auction. PBKS could capitalize on this by securing Warner, whose aggressive style and captaincy could inject new energy into the team, driving them towards a title challenge.
4. Faf du Plessis
- Strengths: Faf du Plessis is a dependable and experienced batter who has consistently delivered in the IPL. His leadership at Royal Challengers Bengaluru has shown his ability to manage high-pressure situations, even if it hasn’t yet resulted in a title.
- Role: Faf could serve as both an opener and captain, bringing stability and experience to the top of the order. His ability to play anchor roles and accelerate when needed would be vital for PBKS.
- Reason: If RCB decides to release Faf due to his age, PBKS could bring him in as a steadying influence. His experience and composure could be key in guiding PBKS through tough situations, potentially leading them to their first IPL title.
5. KL Rahul
- Strengths: KL Rahul is known for his stylish stroke-making and consistency at the top of the order. His previous experience leading Punjab Kings and his ability to score big runs makes him a valuable asset in any IPL setup.
- Role: Rahul could reprise his role as both an opener and captain, providing the team with leadership and stability. His ability to pace an innings and adapt to different match situations would be crucial for PBKS.
- Reason: If Rahul leaves Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the 2025 mega auction as per the rumours, PBKS might be keen to bring him back. Given his familiarity with the franchise and his leadership capabilities, Rahul could work closely with the management to ensure a successful campaign, avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued PBKS in the past.
Also READ: Will Shikhar Dhawan play for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025?
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