'Grateful For The Opportunities': Former CSK, KKR Pacer Announces Retirement, Shares Heartfelt Post (Photo credit: Instagram @ankitrajpoot.412)
Former Chennai Super Kings medium-pacer Ankit Rajpoot on Monday announced his retirement from Indian cricket, at the age of 31, hinting at hopes of playing in foreign T20 leagues across the world. Several Indian cricketers, who couldn't make it big, have adopted this way, with the biggest example being 2012 U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand.
Rajpoot, who represented Uttar Pradesh in the latest Ranji Trophy season, announced on social media his impending retirement. He was a part of the strong CSK set-up in the 2013 and 2014 IPL seasons.
During Uttar Pradesh's successful campaign in the 2016 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Rajpoot was the tournament's third-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an average of 14.21.
"Today, with immense gratitude & humility, I announce my retirement from Indian cricket. My journey from 2009-2024 has been the most wonderful period of my life," Rajpoot wrote in an Instagram post.
"I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for India, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, Kanpur Cricket Association," Rajpoot said.
The Uttar Pradesh medium-pacer extended his gratitude to the five IPL teams, Chennai, the Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, which he was part of.
Rajpoot featured in 80 First-Class matches, 50 in List A and 87 in T20s, taking 248, 71 and 105 wickets. In the IPL auction in 2016, he was one of many uncapped Indian players to earn big, with Kolkata shelling out Rs 1.5 crore to buy him.
Rajpoot's last appearance was against Haryana in October in the Ranji Trophy, where he returned wicketless after bowling 16 overs. He had made his first-class debut against Karnataka in the 2012-13 season of the tournament, picking up three wickets, while dismissing a set Manish Pandey, KB Pawan and skipper Stuart Binny in the game in Meerut.
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