[Watch] Shikhar Dhawan turns back the clock with 72 off 51 balls in Nepal Premier League
Former India captain Shikhar Dhawan turned back the clock while playing for the Karnali Yaks against the Kathmandu Gurkhas in the sixth match of the inaugural Nepal Premier League (NPL) in Kirtipur on Wednesday (December 4). The left-handed batter smashed 72 runs off 51 balls at a stunning strike rate of 141.17, including five sixes and four boundaries.
His knock helped the Yaks post 149/5 in the first innings. However, his team lost the match by three wickets.
Sharing the video on X, FanCode wrote:
"DHA-ONE HAS ARRIVED! Shikhar Dhawan scored an unbeaten 72, including 5 huge sixes, powering Karnali Yaks to a competitive total."
Watch the video below:
Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). This came after the former Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper failed to play all the games of the last two seasons due to injuries.
The Nepal Premier League is Dhawan's first competitive tournament after he bid adieu to Indian cricket.
In international cricket, Dhawan retired with more than 10,000 runs across formats. The 38-year-old was part of India's 2013 Champions Trophy-winning side.
"I didn't want to play domestic cricket" - Shikhar Dhawan on why he announced his retirement
Shikhar Dhawan recently shared why he announced his retirement from international cricket. The southpaw told PTI (via The Times of India):
"I didn't want to play domestic cricket, which I started playing at the age of 18 or 19. I didn’t have that inspiration from inside to play that kind of cricket anymore."
"I wasn't playing much cricket overall (last international game in December 2022), and that leads to losing touch as well. That’s when I decided it was time to step away," he added.
Dhawan expressed gratitude for representing India at the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups. He said during the same interaction:
"I was very happy and satisfied with whatever I achieved in my career, and very, very grateful for everything. Of course, we would have loved to win the World Cup, but I’m proud of what we did as a team."
Dhawan will next be seen in action against Chitwan on Friday, December 6.