'It’s time I move on to the next phase of my life. The love and support of each and every individual will always remain with me and motivate me all the time,' Pragyan Ojha said
Bengaluru: Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has announced his retirement from all forms of the cricket. He took to the micro-blogging website to make the announcement on Friday (February 21).
“It’s time I move on to the next phase of my life. The love and support of each and every individual will always remain with me and motivate me all the time,” Ojha said while releasing a statement on his Twitter account.
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“I am writing this letter to tender my formal retirement from international and first-class cricket, with immediate effect,” he started off the statement.
He continued, “To be an Indian cricketer and represent the country at the highest level was always a dream I cherished as a youngster. I fall short of words to describe how fortunate I have been to have lived my dream and earned the love and respect of my fellow countrymen. For a sportsperson, there cannot be a greater reward”.
The 33-year-old played 24 Tests (113 wickets), 18 ODIs (21 wickets) and six T20Is (10 wickets) for India. His last Test match was in November 2013, the same game where batting legend Sachin Tendulkar played his last and final 200th Test. It was against the West Indies, played at Mumbai’s Wankede Stadium.
., it was always great to see your big heart & skill at work. You made my last Test special by picking 10 wickets.
Welcome to the second innings club, my friend! 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Yh70ldAMSG
Ojha made his international debut in 2008, in an ODI against Bangladesh in Karachi. He Test debut came in 2009, against Sri Lanka in Kanpur. Ojha said receiving his India Test cap from Tendulkar was one of the most memorable moments of his career.
“My eventful career has witnessed many ups and downs. Over the time, I have realized that the legacy of a sportsperson is not just the outcome of his hard work and dedication, but also the faith and guidance bestowed upon by the association (team management), teammates, coaches, trainers, and the fans. Their belief fills you with a strong sense of purpose and belonging,” he added.
“My journey with the Indian Premier League has also been a memorable one and the Purple Cap win will always be an indelible memory - a special mention of the teams Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians for making me a part of their legacy,” he said.
It’s time I move on to the next phase of my life. The love and support of each and every individual will always remain with me and motivate me all the time 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/WoK0WfnCR7
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.