New Delhi: Indian cricketer S Sreesanth announced his retirement from all forms of domestic cricket on Wednesday, IANS reported.
The 39-year-old pacer tweeted that during his 25 years as a cricket player, he always pursued success and winning games and trained with the highest competition standards.
He said that it was an honour to represent his family, country, teammates and people of India. Though unfortunate, it is without regret he is retiring, he said. He is doing so for the next generation of cricketers, he added.
It has been an honor to represent my family, my teammates and the people of India. Nd everyone who loves the game .
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) March 9, 2022
With much sadness but without regret, I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from the Indian domestic (first class and all formats )cricket ,
ICC has been a tremendous honor. During my 25 years career as a Cricket player, I've always pursued success and winning cricket games, while preparing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion and perseverance. It has been an honor to represent my family,
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) March 9, 2022
For the next generation of cricketers..I have chosen to end my first class cricket career. This decision is mine alone, and although I know this will not bring me happiness, it is the right and honorable action to take at this time in my life. I ve cherished every moment .❤️🏏🇮🇳— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) March 9, 2022
Sreesanth shelves his career in first-class cricket with 213 wickets from 74 games. He picked 124 wickets from 92 innings in List-A cricket while playing 65 T20 matches and grabbing 54 wickets.
He had debuted in the Indian team in October 2005 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. Further, he played 53 ODIs for India and picked 75 wickets. He appeared in 27 Tests with 87 wickets and 10 T20Is with seven wickets for the country. He appeared in 44 IPL matches representing Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. His last international appearance was in the 2011 Oval Test against England.
While playing his last IPL in 2013, donning Rajasthan jersey, he got accused of being involved in spot-fixing and arrested. He got a life ban along with Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila. He challenged the ban in Supreme Court, and his sentence was reduced to seven years. After it ended in September 2020, he came back and played for Kerala in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021, as well as in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.