Joginder Sharma announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Veteran India pacer and 2007 World Cup winner Joginder Sharma has called time on his professional cricketing career. Joginder announced his retirement from all forms of cricket (both international and domestic) on Friday, February 3.

The pacer made his debut for the national side in an ODI contest against neighbours Bangladesh in 2004. However, he will perhaps always be remembered as the bowler who dismissed Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq in the high-octane clash in the 2007 T20 World Cup final in Johannesburg to help clinch the inaugural title for the Indian team. Joginder took to his Instagram.

“Today, with immense gratitude and humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket. My journey from 2002-2017 has been the most wonderful years of my life for it was an honour representing India at the highest level of sport,” read one of the excerpts from the post.

Will explore the business side of cricket: Joginder Sharma

Joginder featured in four T20Is and as many ODIs for the Men in Blue and claimed four and one wicket respectively across the white-ball formats. In 77 First-Class cricket matches, he racked up 297 wickets with his best bowling figures being 8/24 in an innings.

While announcing his retirement, he also hinted that he would be exploring new opportunities and the business aspect of the sport.

“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environment. I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to his new chapter in my life,” shared Joginder in his post.

The 39-year-old also donned the yellow outfit of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he played 16 matches between 2008-2011 and got 12 wickets under his belt.