Ranchi: In a heartfelt announcement, Indian batter Saurabh Tiwary has declared his retirement from professional cricket, marking the end of a illustrious career that spanned 17 years. The 32-year-old left-hander will play his final match for Jharkhand against Jamshedpur on February 15 in the Ranji Trophy.
Tiwary, who started his cricketing journey at the age of 11, made a name for himself in the 2006-07 Ranji season with his first-class debut as a teenager. His breakthrough moment came when he played a pivotal role in India’s Under-19 World Cup victory under the leadership of Virat Kohli in Malaysia in 2008.
The cricketer continued to rise through the ranks, showcasing his prowess with notable performances for Mumbai Indians in 2010. Tiwary’s standout innings, where he scored 419 runs, earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the Asian Cup, making his international debut in October 2010.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Tiwary stated in a press conference, “It’s a little tough to bid farewell to this journey that I had started before my schooling. But I’m also sure that this is the right time for this.” He emphasized the importance of making way for younger talents, expressing his belief that vacating a spot in the state side for a young player is crucial.
Despite playing only three One Day Internationals (ODIs) for the Men in Blue, Tiwary’s contribution in domestic cricket is remarkable. He played 115 games, amassing a total of 8030 runs at an impressive average of 47.51. His record includes 22 centuries and 34 half-centuries, surpassing the tally of former Indian captain MS Dhoni in Jharkhand’s run charts.
Tiwary also had a rollercoaster journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After guiding Mumbai Indians to their first final, he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011 but couldn’t replicate the same success. In subsequent years, shoulder injuries forced him to miss the 2014 season with Delhi Daredevils and the 2016 season with Rising Pune Supergiant.
Making a comeback with Mumbai Indians in 2021, Tiwary showed resilience and had strong outings in the tournament. He concludes his IPL career with a total of 1494 runs at an average of 28.73 and a strike rate of 120. In T20 cricket overall, he accumulated 3454 runs with 16 half-centuries at an average of 29.02 and a strike rate of 122.17.
Tiwary, who captained Jharkhand 88 times across all formats, expressed gratitude for the experiences and victories. His leadership saw Jharkhand winning 36 matches, losing 33, and drawing 19.
As Saurabh Tiwary prepares for his farewell match, cricket enthusiasts across the nation salute his contributions to the sport and wish him a fulfilling journey beyond the cricket field.
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