Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement from all formats of cricket, stating that the sport will be “poorer” without him. Gavaskar believes that injuries may have played a role in Dhawan’s decision to step away from the game.
Dhawan, affectionately known as “Gabbar,” was a prolific run-scorer across formats for India and in domestic leagues. He made significant contributions to India’s cricketing success over the years, amassing 6,793 runs in 167 ODIs, 2,315 runs in 34 Tests, and 1,759 runs in T20Is.
Gavaskar noted that Dhawan’s retirement is a reminder of the challenges faced by opening batters, who can be dropped from the team after a lean series or tournament. He also acknowledged that injuries have been a part of Dhawan’s career in recent years, which may have influenced his decision to quit while still enjoying the game.
Dhawan played a crucial role in several tournaments for India, including the victorious 2013 Champions Trophy campaign in England. He was also the leading run-scorer for India in numerous other major tournaments, such as the 2014 Asia Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, and 2018 Asia Cup.
Apart from his contributions with the bat, Dhawan also led India on occasions when senior players were unavailable. In domestic leagues, he represented several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. Dhawan is the second-highest run-getter in the IPL, only behind Virat Kohli.
Gavaskar believes that Dhawan can still bring joy to fans in various roles, such as through the Legends Cricket League and philanthropic ventures. He also noted that retired cricketers today have more opportunities to stay connected with the game.
Dhawan’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His cheerful demeanor and positive attitude will be missed by teammates and fans alike. However, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
