Praveen Kumar Calls It Quits From All Forms of the Game

Indian pace bowler Praveen Kumar has decided to retire from all forms of the game with immediate effect.

Cricket news: Praveen last played for India in a T20I against South Africa in March 2012

This means that he will not play for his state side Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Ranji Trophy and wants the youngsters to stake their claim in the side.

Praveen was once a vital member for the Men in Blue and had several beautiful and memorable victories when he was at the peak of his career.

The 32-year-old pacer last played in a T20I game in March 2012 and was then sidelined due to injury and was never called up again.

During his 13 years of competitive cricket, Praveen has played 66 first class and 139 List A matches along with featuring in 68 ODIs, 6 Tests and 10 T20Is. The swing bowler was very reliable during his career and has picked up 112 international wickets.

Praveen will now play only company cricket for ONGC and said that he does not want the career of other youngsters to be affected by him. He also added that he has no regrets with the way his career has panned out.

“I have no regrets. Dil sey khela, dil sey bowling daala (I played and bowled with my heart). There are good bowlers waiting in the wings back in UP and I don’t want their careers to be affected. Mein kheloonga toh ek ka jagah jayega, (If I play, one spot would go); it’s important to think of other players’ future as well. My time is over and I have accepted it. I’m happy and thankful to God for giving me this chance,” he said while speaking to the Indian Express.

Moreover he said that it was the right time to hand over the baton and has also expressed his desire to become a bowling coach in the future to help young budding cricketers.

“I have decided to retire from cricket. The decision is not taken in haste, I gave a thought over it and I felt it was a right time to say goodbye to the sport which gave me so much. I want to thank my family, BCCI, UPCA, Rajeev (Shukla) sir for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams. Want to become a bowling coach. People know that I have this knowledge. I think it’s an area which I can work dil se, I can pass on this experience to the young ones,” Kumar said.

He later took to Twitter to announce the same news. The tweet said, “its been a great jounery. Its been a great life. With a heavy heart I want to say gud bye to my 1st love #CricketMeriJaan But the test cap no 268 nd ODI 170 will be mine till indian cricket era will continue… Thankyou @BCCI nd @UPCACricket for helping me to live up my dream.”