Indian pacer Manpreet Gony bids adieu to all forms of cricket

Manpreet Gony, the tall 35-year-old Punjab fast bowler, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He sent a letter to the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) and put forth his decision of bidding adieu to the sport. Combining first-class, List A and T20 cricket, the pacer took part in 206 matches in which he picked up 369 wickets after making his debut back in 2007 versus Andhra.

The Roopnagar-born pacer also went on to represent India in a couple of ODIs during the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan. However, after a couple of matches, he went off the radar. Gony also had the privilege of taking part in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). He plied his trade for Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers, Gujarat Lions and Kings XI Punjab in which he took 37 wickets.

His last competitive match was in the erstwhile edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy where he picked up five wickets in five games. Gony announced retirement to be eligible to play the Global T20 Canada where he has already been picked by Toronto Nationals for the second edition of the tournament, which is set to get underway on July 25.

He was one of the fastest and accurate bowlers for Punjab

After the news of his retirement came, Sukhwinder Tikoo, Gony’s long-time coach remembered his first few days on the field. He also spoke about how Gony impressed one and all with his accuracy and sheer ability to crank up the pace.

“I remember seeing him in 2000 on the day I opened my academy in Phase IV in Mohali. A tall teenager had come to see the opening of the academy and I thought I will make this youngster inaugurate the academy. Later, I told him to bowl and Manpreet Gony impressed us all,” Tinkoo was quoted as saying in The Indian Express.

“He made his way to Punjab junior teams and in a U-19 trial held at PCA Stadium, he picked up all the 10 wickets. He had the speed and accuracy and that helped him make his debut for Punjab against Andhra in 2007 and later saw him play for India and for various teams in IPL.”

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“He was one of the fastest and accurate bowlers for Punjab. If he had not faced injuries, he would have played in more matches and picked up more wickets,” Tinkoo added.