Saurabh Tiwary announces retirement from professional cricket

In a heartfelt announcement, seasoned cricketer Saurabh Tiwary has declared his retirement from professional cricket. The 34-year-old, known for his powerful left-handed strokes, will bid adieu to the game after his final game for Jharkhand as they wrap up their Ranji Trophy campaign on February 15 in Jamshedpur.

Tiwary, who embarked on his cricket journey at the tender age of 11, has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. Making his first-class debut in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy season as a teenager, he played a crucial role in India's Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2008 under the leadership of Virat Kohli.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Tiwary expressed mixed emotions during a press conference at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur.

"It's a little tough to bid farewell to this journey that I had started before my schooling. But I'm also sure that this is the right time for this. I feel that if you're not in the national team and IPL, it's better to vacate a spot in the state side for a youngster. Youngsters are getting a lot of chances in our Test team so I'm making this decision," Tiwary was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

With an impressive domestic record, Tiwary played 115 first-class matches over 17 years, amassing 8030 runs for Jharkhand. His contribution, marked by 22 hundred and 34 fifties, surpassed the likes of MS Dhoni in the state's record books.

Tiwary's international career saw him play three ODIs for India, scoring 49 runs. Despite not replicating that success in the IPL consistently, he managed to secure a total of 1494 runs at an average of 28.73 and a strike rate of 120, showcasing his prowess in the shortest format.

As he hangs up his cricketing boots, Tiwary expresses his commitment to staying connected with the game.

"It's not like I've decided this only on the basis of my performances. You can see my record in Ranji and in the last domestic season. It's always asked what I'm going to do next and for now I only know that cricket is the only thing I know so I'm going to be connected to the game. I got an offer from politics too but I haven't thought about that," he added emphasising his undying love for the sport.