'Your passion for the game, your sportsmanship and your trademark smile will be missed.'
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fondly remembered the contributions of Shikhar Dhawan, the significant other of a holy trinity that dominated bowlers with aggression and aura, and said the left-hander has left a lasting impression with his accomplishments.
From 2013 to 2019, the triumvirate of Dhawan, Rohit, and Kohli displayed unprecedented supremacy in international cricket, putting to swords bowling attacks of all kinds.
After a career spanning nearly 13 years, Dhawan on Saturday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving Kohli, Rohit, Ravi Shastri and others to recall the time when the flamboyant southpaw was an indispensable part of India's ODI batting thanks to his ability to win matches on his own.
"From sharing rooms to sharing lifetime memories on the field. You always made my job easier from the other end. THE ULTIMATE JATT," India captain Rohit, who had formed a formidable opening partnership with Dhawan, said on X.
Kohli paid tribute to Dhawan's illustrious cricketing career, describing him as "one of India's most dependable openers.
Dhawan, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday, leaves behind a legacy rich with memorable moments, said the former India captain.
"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," Kohli said on X.
Both Kohli and Dhawan, who hail from West Delhi, share a long history, having played together since their junior cricket days. The duo shared a deep bond off the field as well.
"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!" Kohli added.
In his 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is, Dhawan amassed 10,867 runs, ranking 12th in India's all-time run-scorer list, with 24 centuries and 79 fifty-plus scores. His most iconic moment came during the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he played a key role in India’s triumph, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 363 runs.
Shastri tweeted, "Enjoy your retirement, Shiki Boy! You brought me so much joy and entertainment during my 7 years as coach and director.
"Your match-winning innings in ICC tournaments, Asia Cups, and that unforgettable knock in Galle will always be remembered. You're still young and have plenty of ways to contribute to the sport. God bless."
Dhawan burst onto the international scene in the 2004 ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup where he scored over 500 runs, including three centuries. Six years later he made his India debut in 2010 in an ODI against Australia in Visakhapatnam.
He played his first Test in March 2013 when he smashed the fastest century on debut, in only 85 balls, against Australia in Mohali.
"What an incredible career @SDhawan25 Paaji! Truly a Gabbar, on and off the field. Wish you all the very best for the next chapters, very excited to see what future holds for you," said India's current T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Former India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan tweeted, "Congratulations on an incredible career, @SDhawan25 Your elegance at the crease and your commitment to the game have been inspiring. Wishing you the best in your next chapter."
Also know as 'Mr. ICC' for his exploits in mega-events, Dhawan lit up the Champions Trophy 2013, helping India to a title win and ending up has the highest run-scorer at a brilliant average of 90.75.
He also went on star in other tournaments such as Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017 and Asia Cup 2018.
He is one of the only eight batters in men's ODI history to score over 5000 runs at a 40-plus average and a 90-plus strike rate; the only other Indian batters in this list being Kohli and Rohit.
Dhawan last featured in an international game in 2022 in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram. His last competitive game came in this year's IPL when he led Punjab Kings in April.
