Indian player Rumeli Dhar announces retirement from international cricket

Sports

Rumeli Dhar, India’s seam-bowling allrounder, announced her retirement from international cricket on Wednesday at the age of 38.

Dhar’s final international match was in the 2018 tri-nation women’s T20I series between India, Australia, and England at Brabourne.

 “23 years of my cricket career that started from Shyamnagar in West Bengal, has finally come to an end as I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket. The journey has been a prolonged one with highs and lows. The high was representing the Indian Women’s cricket team, playing the World Cup final in 2005 as well as leading the Women in Blue. A string of injuries plagued my career but I always come back stronger to make it count,” wrote Dhar on her Instagram.

“Today as I bid adieu to the sport I have always loved, I thank my family, the BCCI, my friends, the teams I represented (Bengal, Railways, Air India, Delhi, Rajasthan and Assam) for believing in my abilities and giving me the opportunity to play for their teams. They helped pave my way towards the India team,” she added.

The 38-year-old further stated that she will remain connected to the game and help nurture young talents in the country.

“Each match in this prolonged career taught me a lesson that will help in my second innings. Like all journeys, mine will end as a cricketer today, but I promise to be associated with the sport and help nurture young talents in the country, giving back to the game in every way possible,” said Dhar.

“Thanking everyone for me who has been there through all my ups and downs, everyone who has loved me, my game, pushed me when I needed the most, cheered me at my worst, laughed with me, scolded me when I needed. I owe each one of you for everything I am today. Today I am running out of words to express the feeling that is within. Just want to thank everyone for being there for me…and giving me so much love all these years!” stated further.

Dhar played four Tests, 78 ODIs, and 18 T20Is in her career, amassing 1328 runs and collecting 84 wickets. She was also a member of the Indian side that advanced to the 2005 World Cup final in South Africa, where they were defeated by Australia by 98 runs. She was also India’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2009 T20 World Cup in England, with six strikes in four games and a 4.78 economy rate.

Dhar made her international debut against England in Lincoln in 2003, and at the age of 34, she made an unusual comeback to the Indian side when she was called up to India’s T20 squad for their tour of South Africa in February 2018.