'Grateful for Your Friendship: Virender Sehwag's Heartfelt Message to Shikhar Dhawan Upon Retirement Announcement'

New Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan, the iconic opener known for his explosive batting style, bid farewell to all forms of cricket on Saturday, August 24. In a heartfelt video shared by Dhawan, he announced his retirement, marking the end of his incredible journey with Team India since 2010. While he faced initial challenges in securing a permanent spot in the team, it was his remarkable Test debut against Australia in 2013 that catapulted him to fame and established him as a key player in the squad.

Into the shoes of the legendary Virender Sehwag stepped Shikhar Dhawan, who responded by blazing 185 in his Test debut against Australia; he also reached the hundred mark in 85 balls with a flurry of boundaries. Though he has been fleetingly around in Test cricket, Dhawan firmly fitted into India’s white-ball teams.

He formed outstanding opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in the white-ball format and formed a brilliant batting trio with Virat Kohli at no.3. The three batters dominated the world cricket in the white-ball format of the game.

After his exit from the Indian team in 2012, Sehwag never made a comeback, but he has now shared a heartfelt message in response to Dhawan’s retirement. The former opener praised Dhawan for making the most of his opportunities, acknowledging how Dhawan seized the moment after replacing him in the Indian Test team.

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. https://t.co/jHvfLAhp14

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 24, 2024

“Badhaai ho Shikkhi (Congratulations, Shikhar). 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 wrote.

In his retirement announcement, Dhawan expressed the necessity to “turn the page” and transition from his cricketing career.

“It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life and that’s why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. As I bid goodbye to my cricket journey, I have peace in my heart that I played for so long.”

“I am very thankful to DDCA, the BCCI, and my fans. And that’s why I tell myself, don’t be sad that you won’t play for India again but be happy that you played for your country. And that’s the biggest thing for me, that I played.”