By 
India fast bowler and T20 World Cup champion Joginder Sharma, has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on Friday.
Joginder represented India in four ODIs and as many T20Is between 2004 and 2007, picking up a total of five wickets. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he represented Chennai Super Kings in the first four seasons, picking 12 wickets in 16 matches. Playing for his state team Haryana in domestic cricket, he played 77 first-class matches, 80 List-A matches and 43 T20s.
However, he is best remembered for bowling the final over in the 2007 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, where he was given the ball by Indian captain MS Dhoni. With Pakistan needing just six runs off the last four balls with one wicket remaining, he bowled a slow good length ball to Misbah, which he scooped straight to Sreesanth fielding at short fine-leg as India became the World T20 champions in the inaugural edition.
However, after the T20 World Cup final in 2007, Joginder never played for India again. He last played competitive cricket in 2017, for Haryana in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Recently, he also played in the 2022 season of the Legends Cricket League.
“Today with immense gratitude and humility I announce my retirement from all forms of International and domestic cricket. My journey from 2002 to 2017 has been the most wonderful years of my life, honour representing India level of sport,” he wrote in a letter addressed to BCCI secretary Jay Shah through his social media accounts on Friday.
Announced retirement from cricket Thanks to each and everyone for your love and support 🙏❤️👍👍 pic.twitter.com/A2G9JJd515
— Joginder Sharma 🇮🇳 (@MJoginderSharma) February 3, 2023
“I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Haryana Cricket Association, Chennai Super Kings and Haryana government.
“To all my team-mates, coaches, mentors and support staff: It has been an absolute privilege to have played with you all, and I thank you all for helping turn my dream into reality.
“To all cricket fans that have supported me through the ups and downs of International sport, I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always been a source of motivation for me.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their unconditional love and support throughout my career. They have been my backbones and without them, I would not have been able to achieve what I have today,” he further wrote.
“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in a new and different environment. I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to this new chapter in my life.”
39-year-old Joginder serves as a deputy superintendent of police in the Hisar district of Haryana and was on the front lines during the fight against Covid-19.
Comments