New Delhi [India], February 12 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan opened up on his journey from receiving his Test debut cap from legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to retiring from international format, saying he was 'shukrana' (in gratitude) after hanging his boots from international cricket.

Shikhar spoke in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Shikhar recalled an advice from Tendulkar while receiving his Test debut cap, telling him to be 'gutsy' and to 'show his guts.'

'I was lucky to play with him in the IPL. So, in 2009, I was in the IPL, in the Mumbai Indians team. So, I played there for two seasons. So, the thing about guts is that when fast bowling is coming to you, it is coming at the speed of 150, or 140 kmph. How much courage do you have to play? You know that you could get hurt, but how much preparation have you done? You are not being scared. It is about counter-attacking. He had seen me doing that. When he gave me that cap, I felt very grateful and lucky that I got to play in the Indian team with Sachin Paaji. I also made a world record in that match (of fastest Test ton on debut).

Speaking on Sachin's retirement in 2013 after a farewell series against West Indies at home, Shikhar said that he 'felt normal and did not cry'.

'I am a balanced person. I stay normal. And... We were just happy to have him on our shoulders and had a lap around the ground. We were enjoying that moment. I remember when he was giving a speech. His eyes were filled with tears. His whole family was there. It was a beautiful moment. So blessed that I was there. I was there and enjoyed that moment,' he added.

In his illustrious career that he pulled the curtain on last year, runs effortlessly came off Dhawan's bat. He represented India across all formats, but ODI was his forte. In 167 appearances, the southpaw produced swashbuckling performances and racked up 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties.

In the longest format of cricket, where he stitched up memorable partnerships with Murali Vijay, Dhawan garnered 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6. His Test career was laced with seven tons and five half-centuries.

In the T20I format, Dhawan made 68 appearances and scored 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.

In the domestic circuit, Dhawan played 122 first-class cricket matches and handsomely scored 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26, including 25 centuries and 29 fifties.

In List A, Dhawan played 302 matches and scored a whopping 12,074 runs at an average of 43.90. His remarkable statistics are further glistened by 30 centuries and 67 half-centuries.

Dhawan is also the second-highest run-getter of all time in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 6,769 runs in 222 matches at an average of 35.25, with two centuries and 51 fifties.

He also secured an ICC Champions Trophy with India in 2013 and an IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2016. (ANI)