Varun Aaron, the fiery quick known for clocking speeds over 150kph, has decided to hang up his boots. The 35-year-old speedster announced his retirement from all forms of representative cricket after Jharkhand’s exit from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It’s the end of a journey that’s seen plenty of highs, a fair share of injuries, and loads of unforgettable memories.
“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket,” Aaron wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “Fast bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”
Bursting onto the Scene with Raw Pace
Aaron first made waves in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, when his sheer pace made everyone sit up and take notice. Back then, a 21-year-old Aaron was tearing through batting lineups and regularly hitting speeds that very few Indian bowlers could achieve.
But with great pace comes great risk. Injuries, especially stress fractures in his back, became a recurring theme in Aaron’s career. Despite those setbacks, he managed to play nine Tests and nine ODIs for India. His last appearance came in a rain-affected Test against South Africa in Bengaluru back in 2015.
“I’ve Had to Push My Limits”
“Over the years, I’ve had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again,” Aaron shared in his farewell post. “This was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy.”
It’s that resilience that made Aaron stand out. Every time he got knocked down, he found a way to come back stronger.
IPL Journeys and Domestic Grind
Aaron’s domestic career was solid, with 141 wickets in 88 List A matches at an impressive average of 26.47. In T20 cricket, Aaron finished with 93 wickets in 95 matches, though his economy rate of 8.53 was on the higher side — something he was often criticized for.
His IPL journey, however, was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Over the years, Aaron played for multiple franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Gujarat Titans. His biggest highlight came with the Gujarat Titans in 2022, when the team won the IPL trophy in their debut season. While Aaron only featured in two games that year, the title win was a memorable way to cap off his IPL career.
From MRF Pace Academy to Cricket Pundit
Aaron’s journey started at the famous MRF Pace Academy, which has produced some of India’s best fast bowlers. He remained connected with the academy even after his playing days slowed down, mentoring young pacers.
In recent years, he’s also made a name for himself as a cricket pundit, appearing on platforms like ESPNcricinfo to share insights from his time in the game.
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