Niranjana Nagarajan Retires from Cricket After 24-Year Journey

Niranjana Nagarajan Retires from Cricket: A Journey of Gratitude and Accomplishments

Indian fast bowler Niranjana Nagarajan has bid farewell to the sport she has dedicated 24 years of her life to. In an emotional social media post, the 35-year-old announced her retirement from all forms of cricket.

Nagarajan's journey began at the tender age of 19 when she made her international debut in an ODI against England in Bath. She went on to represent India in two Tests, 22 ODIs, and 14 T20Is between 2008 and 2016.

Her Test debut in Wormsley in 2014 was a memorable one. She claimed four wickets in the first innings, helping India bowl out England for a mere 92 runs. Nagarajan also contributed with a gritty 27 runs, paving the way for India's historic fourth Test win overall and second against England.

Throughout her career, Nagarajan picked up 24 wickets in ODIs and nine in T20Is. She last played for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in Ranchi in 2016.

Beyond her international exploits, Nagarajan was a key figure for Railways and Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Arjuna Award in 2012.

In her retirement announcement, Nagarajan expressed her gratitude for the opportunities cricket has given her. "Playing cricket at a professional level has been the best thing that could have happened to me," she said. "It gave me a vision, ambition, and reason to look forward in life."

Nagarajan's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women's cricket. She leaves behind a legacy of determination, resilience, and a love for the game that will continue to inspire future generations.

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