Saurabh Tiwary signs off from cricket with a peck to 22 yards strip

Saurabh Tiwary's legacy in Jharkhand cricket is nothing short of legendary. Recently, amidst his retirement announcement at the conclusion of Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy season on February 19, Tiwary received an overwhelming display of respect from both teammates and opponents. During his final innings against Rajasthan, he was honoured with a guard of honour by the opposition players that showcased the immense respect he commands in cricketing circles.

Tiwary, who donned the Indian cap in three ODIs back in late 2010, enjoyed a successful stint in the IPL, as he featured in 93 matches over 11 seasons. Notably, under his leadership, Jharkhand clinched their maiden domestic title, the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010-11. With an impressive tally of 8076 first-class runs, 4050 List A runs, and 3454 T20 runs, he left behind a rich cricketing legacy that will be cherished for years to come. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape of Jharkhand.

"Saying farewell to your favourite thing isn't easy, my friend. When I left the dressing room and was entering the ground, it was very emotional. My whole journey, from the time I was a kid to now, flashed before my eyes. I started my career here [at Keenan Stadium] and am finishing here too. My favourite people, including my coach [Kajal Das] had come to be part of the occasion. Sometimes, it's difficult to express the feeling," said Tiwary as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"Cricket has taught me two things. One is that you have to fight for everything, and the second is that you need to understand you won't get everything in life. Some things will remain out of reach," Tiwary said. "I had a dream that we will win the Ranji Trophy but I couldn't achieve it. That takes us back to the thing about fighting for everything. I will now try to play my part in helping the team win the Ranji Trophy, but from the outside. And I will do whatever I can to make it happen," he added.

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I wanted to see if he was scared and wanted to test him: Kajal Das

As the farewell match concluded, Tiwary, visibly emotional, traversed the pitch. With tears welling in his eyes, he tenderly kissed the ground, a poignant moment capturing his deep connection to the sport. In attendance was Kajal Das, a former coach of the Jharkhand team, who shared an anecdote shedding light on southpaw's character, that revealed the essence of the man beyond the cricketing arena.

"He must have been 15 or 16, and a ball hit his head during training. He needed some stitches. He went to the hospital and came right back to me. I told him to pad up and go bat in the nets [and he did so] - I wanted to see if he was scared and wanted to test him. I have never had a student as dedicated as Saurabh. His keenness to be at the ground and his hunger for runs is unmatched," Das recalled.

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