Former Indian pacer Praveen Kumar has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. He made the decision to allow the young bowlers to represent the Uttar Pradesh cricket as he reckons there are many good ones waiting in the wings. He will continue playing company cricket for ONGC.
Praveen represented India in 6 Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is. He has 112 international wickets to his name. The right-hander was an impressive fast bowler who could swing the ball both ways viciously. His career was marred by injuries and inconsistencies and so, he was never able to register a constant place in the national side.
However, he was a prominent name in the Uttar Pradesh state team. He played 66 first-class games and 139 List A in a career spanning 13 years. In the Indian Premier League, he played for 5 different franchises. He took 90 wickets from 119 IPL matches while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions.
No regrets in the career: Praveen Kumar
While announcing the retirement, Praveen Kumar mentioned that he has no regrets looking back at his career. He felt that his time was over and the decision was not taken in a haste. The 32-year-old thanked his family and the Board and wishes to become a bowling coach as he feels he has the experience to pass on to the youngsters.
“I have no regrets. Dil sey khela, dil sey bowling daala (I played and bowled with my heart). There are good bowlers waiting in the wings back in UP and I don’t want their careers to be affected. Mein kheloonga toh ek ka jagah jayega, (If I play, one spot would go); it’s important to think of other players’ future as well. My time is over and I have accepted it. I’m happy and thankful to God for giving me this chance,” he said while speaking to the Indian Express.
“I have decided to retire from cricket. The decision is not taken in haste, I gave a thought over it and I felt it was a right time to say goodbye to the sport which gave me so much. I want to thank my family, BCCI, UPCA, Rajeev (Shukla) sir for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams. want to become a bowling coach. People know that I have this knowledge. I think it’s an area which I can work dil se, I can pass on this experience to the young ones,” added Kumar.
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