Shikhar Dhawan to play in Legends League Cricket post retirement
What's the story
Former Indian cricket team opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced his return to the field just two days after retiring from professional cricket. However, he will not be representing India or participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Instead, Dhawan is set to join the Legends League Cricket (LLC) in September. This move follows his retirement announcement on August 24 and marks a new chapter in his cricketing career.
Comeback announcement
Dhawan's statement on his return to cricket
In a statement to PTI, Dhawan expressed his readiness for the new journey. He said, "My body is still conditioned for the demands of the game, and while I'm at ease with my decision, cricket is an inseparable part of who I am." He added that he is eager to regroup with his cricketing friends and continue entertaining fans as they create new memories together.
Career highlights
Dhawan's impressive cricketing career
Dhawan, one of the most successful openers in One Day International (ODI) cricket, has scored 6,793 runs in 167 matches with an average of 44.11. His record includes 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries. He was also the highest run-scorer during the ICC Champions Trophy tournaments in both 2013 and 2017, contributing significantly to India's title win in the former year.
Career journey
Dhawan's World Cup performances and IPL journey
Dhawan was also India's top run-scorer in the 2015 World Cup with a total of 412 runs. However, an injury during his 117-run innings against Australia in the 2019 World Cup led to his exclusion from the tournament. He also played in every IPL season from its inception in 2008 until his retirement this year, and was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team that won the title under David Warner's captaincy in 2016.