Indian Cricketer Gambhir retires from all forms of the Game

 

New Delhi, December 5: Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket yesterday evening. “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 announced via social media.

 

The 37-year-old, who represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is, in a video message on his social media pages, asserted that the Ranji Trophy game against Andhra Pradesh starting Thursday will be his last competitive match. Gambhir was India's top-scorer in the finals of the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and the 2011 ODI World Cup, both of which the country won.

"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, elaborating on his thought process leading up to Tuesday's decision.

 

Meanwhile the Indian Cricket commentator mentioned that Gautam Gambhir had a wonderful career and that he played a big part in two of the biggest moments in Indian cricket. He also added saying that Gambhir was among the best in test cricket at his peak and that he will have a page in the IPL

 

Gambhir, one of the most successful batsmen for India, has been out of favour with the national team for a while now and last played a Test back in 2016 against England. He however made 58 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.

 

"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'. I was searching for my confidence in that deep, dark pit but I could only lay my hands on the same sharp, disturbing noise. It said the same: 'It is over Gauti ", he added further.

 

 

Gambhir said that the thought became overpowering during the 2014 IPL, the lowest ebb being three successive ducks in the tournament and things only got worse for him after that.

 

"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 u. 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.

 

In the video, Gambhir thanked his coaches, teammates and family members for standing by him.