Gambhir retires from all forms of cricket

Sports Desk: Veteran India opener Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 37-year-old who represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is made the announcement on Twitter. “The most difficult decisions are often taken with the heaviest of hearts. And with one heavy heart, I've decided to make an announcement that I've dreaded all my life,” Gambhir wrote.

"The next Ranji trophy match against Andhra will be my last game in the sun. It is all coming to an end from where it started at Feroz Shah Kotla," Gambhir said in a video message on social media.

"As a batsman I have always valued timing. I know the time is just right and I am sure its sweet as well," he added.

Recently, Gautam Gambhir was released by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Daredevils (DD) for the upcoming 2019 season.

Gambhir, who is known to be quite vocal on Twitter on national issues, was part of two World Cup-winning squads - the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup, which India clinched after a gap of 28 years at the Wankhede Stadium.

In the past few years, Gambhir was not part of the Indian team set-up, and was popularly representing the Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Daredevils.

In the last season of the IPL, Gambhir had stepped down from Delhi Daredevils captaincy, handing it over to youngster Shreyas Iyer.

Last month Gambhir stepped down as the captain of the Delhi Ranji team as well.

In the IPL, Gambhir scored 4,217 runs in 154 matches at a strike rate of 123.88. The veteran, during his stint with KKR led the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 4, 2018/AI