A decision with a heavy heart: Gambhir
India discard Gautam Gambhir yesterday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The Ranji Trophy game between Delhi and Andhra starting tomorrow at the Feroz Shah Kotla will be his last game.
“The next Ranji Trophy match against Andhra will be my last game in the sun. It is all coming to an end from where it started at Feroz Shah Kotla,” Gambhir said in a video message on social media. “As a batsman I have always valued timing. I know the time is just right and I am sure its sweet as well,” he added.
“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 wrote on his Twitter handle.
In a career that spanned 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20 internationals for the Indian cricket team, Gambhir went on to win two global titles. He was the top scorer for India in both the 2007 ICC WT20 final as well as the 2011 ICC World Cup final.
Gambhir scored 4154 runs at an average of 41.95 in Test cricket with nine centuries and 22 half-centuries. In ODIs, he scored 5238 runs at an average of 39.68 with 11 centuries and 34 half-centuries.
“I am here to share a thought which I’ve been contemplating and I dare say, dreading. The thought has been with me day and night on flights like an irritable excess baggage,” Gambhir said in an emotional video. ■