Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, on Tuesday. The 37 year old, who has represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is, made the announcement on Twitter. He wrote, “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”. He also posted a video message on his social media pages, said the Ranji Trophy game against Andhra Pradesh starting this week, will be his last competitive match. In the over 11 minute long video post, Gambhir said, “The next Ranji Trophy game against Andhra will be my last day in the sun. It is coming to an end where it all started at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.”
One of the most successful batsmen for India, Gambhir has been out of favour with the national team for a while now after a dip in form and last played a Test back in 2016 against England. “ The thought has been with me day and night. It has travelled with me on flights like an irritable excess baggage, it has accompanied me to practice sessions, mocking at me like a menacing bowler. On certain other days, it has made my dinner taste horrible,” Gambhir said. “Each time I got out playing for India, or KKR or Delhi Daredevils, this thought would turn into a sharp disturbing noise and walk with me all the way to the dressing room shouting that 'it is over Gauti',” he explained.
The cricketer has made 8 Test appearances for India, accumulating 4154 runs at an average of 41.95. His 147 ODI games fetched 5238 runs, while in 37 T20 Internationals, he scored 932 runs. He said the thought became overpowering during the 2014 IPL, the lowest ebb being three successive ducks in the tournament. “ After a decent 2017 domestic season, I entered this year's IPL with confidence as my best buddy. I thought all those negative noises were dead. But I was wrong. Six games of IPL for Delhi Daredevils it was back. And this time it was louder than before. Perhaps, my time was up. Yes, my time was up,” Gautam said.
“So, here I am, after more than 15 years of cricket for my country I want to retire from playing this beautiful game.” he said he is willing to go through the same “aches and pains' and “fears and failures” all over again even in his next life as a cricketer.
