'Going Through Transition': Is Injured Shikhar Dhawan Set to Bid Farewell to Cricket?

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has shared his thoughts about calling it quits on his cricket career. Dhawan, who serves as the captain of Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), spent most of the ongoing season at the dugout due to a shoulder injury. The veteran batter made only five appearances for the Punjab-based side before English all-rounder Sam Curran replaced him at the helm. His absence undoubtedly affected PBKS, who finished ninth in the league standings.

After the Punjab Kings crashed out of the playoff race, questions were raised about whether Shikhar Dhawan would continue to lead Punjab in the next IPL. The 38-year-old recently addressed the topic during an interaction with news agency ANI.

According to Shikhar Dhawan, he has been going through a transition period where “cricket may come to a rest”. Pointing at his retirement rumours, Dhawan told ANI, “I am also going through a transition ‘Jahan Meri Cricket Vishram Pe Aayegi’ and a new chapter in my life will start. You only have a certain age till you can play. It could be one year more, two years more, or xyz for me.”

Shikhar Dhawan further spoke about his short stint in this year’s IPL. The Punjab Kings skipper picked up the unfortunate shoulder injury during a league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9. Referring to his recovery process, Dhawan said, “Unfortunately, I got injured this IPL season and could not play for Punjab except for 4-5 matches. It takes time to recover. I am still healing. I have not recovered 100 per cent yet.”

Shikhar Dhawan, who has represented India in 168 ODIs and 68 T20Is, also has an illustrious IPL career. He has played for several franchises since the inaugural 2008 edition. After spending three IPL seasons with Delhi Capitals, Dhawan switched to Punjab Kings ahead of the 2022 edition.

In his debut season with PBKS, the Southpaw registered a total of 460 runs. He looked quite pale in the following season, scoring 373 runs in 11 appearances. Dhawan is the second-highest run-scorer in the T20 competition, having aggregated 6,769 runs in 222 matches.

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