Gautam Gambhir draws curtain on playing career
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|| Desk Report ||
Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has called it quits from all forms of cricket. Delhi’s Ranji Trophy clash against Andhra on December 6, will be his last professional match.
“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 in a Facebook post.
“After more than 15 years of cricket for my country, I want to retire from playing this beautiful game,” he said.
Identified as one of India’s batting stalwarts – alongside MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, and Ambati Rayudu – by former India coach Greg Chappell, Gambhir was a key member of the Indian national team during his peak years.
The southpaw was the highest-scorer for India in the ICC World T20 final (75 runs) against Pakistan in 2007 and in the ICC World Cup final (97 runs) against Sri Lanka in 2011. He shared two important partnerships with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni after India lost two early wickets, and set the stage for India’s one-day World Cup-win at home.
In 242 international matches across formats, Gambhir made over 10,000 runs, which includes 20 centuries. He reached the pinnacle of ICC Test batsmen’s rankings in 2009. His last international appearance came in a Test match against England in 2016.
Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL triumph in 2012 and in 2014. He was discharged from Delhi Daredevil’s captaincy duty midway through the tournament last season and stepped down as Delhi’s Ranji Trophy captain in November.
