Cricket

Niranjana Nagarajan Retires from Cricket: A Journey of Gratitude and AccomplishmentsIndian 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.

Namibia's David Wiese, a seasoned all-rounder, has announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of their T20 World Cup 2024 group stage match against England. The decision marks the end of a remarkable career for the 39-year-old, who has played a pivotal role in Namibia's rise in international cricket.Wiese's retirement announcement came after he was dismissed by Jofra Archer in the final over of Namibia's chase in a rain-curtailed match in North Sound. As he walked off the field, he received a warm ovation from the crowd and handshakes from the England players."I'm 39 years old now, so in terms of international cricket, I don't know if there's much left in me," Wiese said in the post-match press conference. "I've had a lot of good times with Namibia, and to play my last game for them possibly at a World Cup against a world-class team like England, it just seemed like the right time."Wiese, who typically bats in the middle order, was promoted to No. 3 for Namibia's chase of 126 in 10 overs. He smashed 27 off 12 with two fours and two sixes before holing out at long-on.Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus praised Wiese's impact on the team. "He's a great guy on the field in terms of performance, but off the field, he is someone we have really learned a lot from and he's inspired us to new heights and greater heights," Erasmus said.England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow also commended Wiese's career. "I think it's a huge credit to him the career that he's had in international cricket and he's going to be a big miss for those guys," Bairstow said.Originally from South Africa, Wiese became eligible to play for Namibia five years after his decision to go Kolpak in 2016. He made his debut for Namibia in the first round of the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he played a key role in getting them to the Super 12 stage.He has played in three consecutive T20 World Cups for Namibia now. Wiese was the standout performer in Namibia's only win in the 2024 campaign, returning figures of 3 for 28 against Oman before starring with both bat and ball in the Super Over.In total, Wiese has played 34 T20Is for Namibia, scoring 532 runs and returning 35 wickets. He has also played nine ODIs for them, scoring 228 runs and taking six wickets. In all, he has played 54 T20Is and 15 ODIs.While Wiese is retiring from international cricket, he could continue playing franchise cricket. In the last 12 months, he has played in various leagues around the world, including the CSA T20 Challenge, the PSL, SA20, Hundred, and the Blast.

Trent Boult, the legendary New Zealand fast bowler, has announced his retirement from T20 World Cups, marking a significant moment in the team's history. With 32 wickets in 17 T20 World Cup matches, Boult has been a key contributor to New Zealand's success in the tournament.Boult's decision to step away from T20 World Cups raises questions about the future of an aging New Zealand team. Only three players in the current squad will be under 30 by the time they return home. This raises concerns about a potential transition period for the team, especially after their disappointing exit from the Super Eight stage of this tournament.Boult and Tim Southee have been instrumental in New Zealand's success in recent years, but their partnership may be coming to an end. Boult expressed his fondness for their partnership, saying, "I look at the partnership with Tim with very fond memories. We bowled a lot of overs together. I know the partnership very well, and obviously he's a very good friend on and off the ground."New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has downplayed the notion that this tournament marks the end of a generation, but the team will undoubtedly need to find a replacement for Boult, one of their greatest-ever fast bowlers.Boult's retirement from T20 World Cups is a significant moment for New Zealand cricket. It signals the end of an era and raises questions about the team's future. As the team looks to rebuild, they will need to find a way to replace Boult's experience and skill.

Kedar Jadhav Retires from Cricket, Echoing Dhoni's Iconic FarewellOn Monday, Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, mirroring the iconic retirement note of former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Jadhav's heartfelt social media post, accompanied by a poignant slideshow of career highlights, underscored the strong bond between the two cricketers.Jadhav's retirement announcement closely resembled Dhoni's surprise retirement post on August 15, 2020. Dhoni had announced his retirement with a two-line statement on Instagram, a year after his last international game for India during the 2019 World Cup in England."Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as retired," Dhoni had said, sharing a career photo slideshow set to one of his favorite songs, 'Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shair Hoon.'Jadhav's career with the Indian team spanned 73 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 2014 and 2020. The 39-year-old thrived under Dhoni's leadership, contributing valuable off-spin bowling in addition to his batting prowess. Jadhav was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.Jadhav's retirement marks the end of an era for a player who provided critical support and versatility to the Indian team. His ability to bowl economical overs and contribute with the bat made him a valuable asset to the team.As Jadhav steps away from cricket, fans and fellow cricketers alike are sure to remember his contributions fondly. His retirement serves as a reminder of the strong bond between Dhoni and Jadhav, and the impact that Dhoni has had on the careers of many Indian cricketers.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has bid farewell to his illustrious playing career. The 39-year-old, who last represented India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, announced his retirement on his birthday, bringing an end to a journey that began in 2002-03.Karthik's career has been marked by both highs and lows. He made his international debut in 2004 and went on to play 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 32 T20Is for India. While he was never a regular in the Test team, he made significant contributions in the shorter formats, particularly in T20 cricket.In the IPL, Karthik has been a mainstay since its inception in 2008. He has represented six different franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. With 4816 runs in 256 matches, he is one of the most successful batters in IPL history.Karthik's wicketkeeping skills have also been highly regarded. He is second only to MS Dhoni in overall dismissals (172) and stumpings (36) in the IPL. He has also captained Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and led Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL for three seasons.Despite his success, Karthik's international career was often overshadowed by the presence of other talented wicketkeeper-batters. However, he remained a valuable member of the Indian team, providing experience and leadership.In recent years, Karthik has focused primarily on domestic cricket and the IPL. He played a key role in Royal Challengers Bangalore's run to the playoffs in IPL 2023, scoring 326 runs in 13 innings.Karthik's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. He was one of the last remaining players from the generation that won the 2011 World Cup. His contributions to the game will be remembered for years to come.

New Zealand wicketkeeper Bernadine Bezuidenhout has bid farewell to international cricket, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and dedication. Her journey began in 2014 with the South African national team, where she represented her country in four ODIs and seven T20Is. In 2015, she relocated to Christchurch, New Zealand, and after fulfilling a two-year residential stand-down, she made her debut for the White Ferns in 2018.Bezuidenhout's international career with New Zealand spanned 16 ODIs and 22 T20Is. She played a pivotal role in the team's T20 World Cup campaign in 2018, although New Zealand's journey ended in the league stage. However, her career was not without its challenges. In 2020, she was diagnosed with RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), which sidelined her from the game for two years.Despite the setback, Bezuidenhout's determination remained unwavering. She made a remarkable comeback to the New Zealand squad for the 2023 T20 World Cup. Off the field, she has dedicated herself to inspiring young people through her non-profit organization, The EPIC Sports Project Charitable Trust. The organization aims to break down barriers to sports participation and foster hope and belonging in high-deprivation communities."It's been such a great ride," Bezuidenhout said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket. "Playing for the White Ferns has been a huge privilege and honor. The journey has taught me so much, and I'll be forever grateful to everyone who has been on the path with me."Bezuidenhout's decision to retire was not an easy one. She has struggled to balance her work and playing career, and after careful consideration, she has chosen to focus her full attention on The EPIC Sports Project. "I'm at peace with this decision, but it wasn't an easy one to make," she said.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his gratitude for Bezuidenhout's contributions to the team. "We're proud of the work that Bernie does outside of cricket, and I have no doubt she'll continue to make a positive impact on the lives of many," he said.Bezuidenhout will continue to play domestic cricket for Northern Districts. Her legacy as a resilient and dedicated cricketer, both on and off the field, will continue to inspire future generations.

Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) exit from IPL 2024. As he reflects on his illustrious career, Karthik has shared some amusing anecdotes involving on-field banter with his India teammates during his IPL days.One of the most memorable exchanges occurred with Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain. "Every time I played against RCB and Virat caught my catch, 'Ben Stokes' came out of his mouth for sure," Karthik recalled in an interview with Cricbuzz. "But that was a send-off."Karthik also revealed a sledging incident with Hardik Pandya, the current Mumbai Indians skipper. "Hardik Pandya sledged me saying 'abhi legspinner aaya, iska thank you hi hai' (a legspinner will come and it is Thank You time]. Then I had to play a couple of shots and then he was like 'theek hai, thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai' (okay, looks like he has improved a little]. That was good. He's a good friend. He was also like 'Commentator banke bhi thoda kaam kar raha hai' (Even after becoming a commentator he's working on his game) That was fun."Karthik, who played 257 IPL matches and 60 T20Is, also mentioned a playful comment from Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain. "Rohit this year taunting me... unnecessarily giving me hopes," he said, referring to Sharma's "isko World Cup khelna hai" (he wants to play in the World Cup) remark.Besides his IPL career, Karthik represented India in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is. He is also known for his insightful commentary, which has added a new dimension to his cricketing journey.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has urged veteran wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha to play one final match for his home state Bengal before retiring. This request comes after Saha met with Ganguly in Agartala, Tripura, where Saha currently plays for the Tripura Cricket Association.Saha, 39, joined Tripura in 2022 following a rift with officials of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). According to Tripura Cricket Association joint secretary Jayanta Dey, Ganguly expressed his desire for Saha to retire for Bengal, playing at least one last match.However, Saha has yet to request a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Tripura. Dey stated that Tripura recently granted an NOC to Sudip Chatterjee, who is set to return to Bengal, but Saha has not made such a request.It remains uncertain whether Saha will participate in the Bengal Pro T20 franchise league, which begins on June 11, as the players' draft for the teams has already been completed.Saha's meeting with Ganguly comes two years after he publicly criticized the Ganguly-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not selecting him for the India home Test series against Sri Lanka. Saha revealed private dressing room conversations with head coach Rahul Dravid, who had suggested he consider retirement. He also claimed that Ganguly had assured him a spot in the team.Following these revelations, Saha opted out of playing for Bengal due to concerns raised by senior official Debabrata Das about his commitment. Saha subsequently quit the Bengal team's WhatsApp group and joined Tripura. Former CAB president Avishek Dalmiya attempted to persuade Saha to return to Bengal, but he remained firm in his decision.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain, has hinted at his post-retirement plans, expressing his desire for an extended break from the sport. In a recent conversation with RCB, Kohli emphasized his determination to avoid regrets after hanging up his boots.However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has raised eyebrows with a bold prediction, suggesting that Kohli may retire sooner than anticipated. Vaughan believes that Kohli's priorities have shifted since the birth of his second child, Akaay, and that he may prioritize a quieter life away from the limelight."He just absolutely adored that normal life. I think that may take Virat away from cricket, like he just wants to go and have a quiet time for a while," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Kohli's absence from the five-match Test series against England earlier this year, due to the birth of his son, has been cited as evidence of his changing priorities. Vaughan believes that Kohli's time away from the game may have given him a taste of a different lifestyle, one that he may find more appealing than the rigors of international cricket.Despite Vaughan's speculation, Kohli remains one of the most formidable batters in the world. He ended the IPL 2024 season as the leading run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 matches. However, his rare failure with the bat in the Eliminator, which resulted in RCB's elimination from the tournament, has raised questions about his current form.Kohli will now turn his attention to the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 2 in the Americas. The tournament will provide him with an opportunity to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.