Virat Kohli pens emotional tribute for Shikhar Dhawan's retirement
What's the story
Indian cricket icon, Virat Kohli, has expressed his heartfelt sentiments following the retirement of his team-mate, Shikhar Dhawan. In a touching social media post on August 25, Kohli reminisced their shared experiences on the field. He particularly highlighted Dhawan's infectious smile and unwavering passion for the game. Notably, the bond between Kohli and Dhawan dates back to their junior cricket days. They played together for the Delhi cricket team in the mid 2000s.
Twitter Post
Your lgeacy lives on, writes Kohli
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. Thank you for the…
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 25, 2024
Dynamic duo
Kohli and Dhawan's formidable partnership in Indian cricket
Kohli and Dhawan were key figures in Indian cricket throughout the mid-2010s, across all formats. As per ESPNcricinfo, they played 221 internationals together, having racked up over 20,000 runs. Their aggressive presence on the field often put opposition teams on the back foot. They played a key role in securing India the ICC Champions Trophy title in 2013. While Dhawan gave India powerful starts, Kohli's well-knit knocks stood out.
Retirement
Dhawan's record-breaking career and retirement
Dhawan announced his retirement from international cricket on August 25. The left-handed opener, who began his career against Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2010, made the announcement through a video message on his social media accounts. Over a decade-long career, Dhawan represented India in 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is. He scored over 10,000 runs across all formats during his tenure.
Era
End of an era!
Dhawan's retirement from international cricket marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. This brings an end to India's iconic trio of Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli. Like Rohit and Kohli, the former Indian opener has been a stalwart in the team, consistently delivering impressive performances. His contributions to Indian cricket have been immense and his presence on the field will be greatly missed by fans and fellow players alike.