Shikhar Dhawan Profile – IPL Career and 2026 Status

Shikhar Dhawan concluded his IPL career by 2024, having played for five franchises and amassed earnings exceeding ₹91.8 crore during his tenure in the league.

This aggressive left-handed top-order batsman's journey in the IPL transcends mere statistics and scorecards. Starting as a promising young talent from Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan's progression in the league mirrors a remarkable transformation from a raw newcomer to one of the most celebrated T20 cricketers worldwide. Though he never consistently ranked as the highest earner in the league, his unwavering performance ensured he retired with aggregate earnings surpassing ₹91.8 crore, cementing his status as one of the most financially valuable and respected legends in IPL history. This stylish southpaw left an indelible impact on every franchise he donned the jersey for. Shikhar Dhawan represented multiple IPL teams across his storied career. He evolved from a dazzling young batsman into a reliable veteran known as an ‘Experienced Player,’ offering stability during his record-setting journey. There is no Shikhar Dhawan IPL team in 2026 as he is no longer an active player. He formally stepped away from all forms of international and domestic cricket on August 24, 2024, so no Shikhar Dhawan current IPL team exists. He publicly declared his retirement from every format of the game on August 24, 2024, marking the end of his on-field career. His stints as Shikhar Dhawan IPL captain were defined by bold aggression and his signature fearless ‘Gabbar’ persona. Which IPL franchise did Shikhar Dhawan represent in the final season? Shikhar Dhawan has retired from the IPL; his last franchise was Punjab Kings in 2024. How many different IPL teams did Shikhar Dhawan play for? He represented five different franchises: Delhi Daredevils/Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. In which auction year did Shikhar Dhawan secure his highest IPL bid? His highest auction bid was ₹8.25 crore in 2022, although his peak salary reached ₹12.5 crore while being retained by SRH. What was Shikhar Dhawan’s initial IPL salary? He was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for ₹12 lakh in the first-ever IPL season in 2008. Did Shikhar Dhawan ever face intense bidding battles in IPL auctions? Yes, especially during the 2022 Mega Auction, when Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals competed fiercely to acquire his services. All images shown are for editorial use only. Rights reserved with Getty/Source.