Ankit Rajpoot Announces Retirement from Indian Cricket

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Ankit Rajpoot Announces Retirement from Indian Cricket

Uttar Pradesh Fast Bowler Bids Farewell After Successful Career


Ankit Rajpoot, the Uttar Pradesh fast bowler, has announced his retirement from Indian cricket after a notable career spanning over a decade. His decision comes after a season where he represented UP in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy but went wicketless across two matches.


Rajpoot’s Career Achievements

  • First-Class Cricket: Debuted in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, accumulating 248 wickets in 80 matches at an average of 29.25.
  • List A Cricket: Took 71 wickets from 50 games at an average of 26.94.
  • T20 Cricket: Claimed 105 wickets in 87 T20s at an average of 21.55, with an economy rate of 7.75.

IPL Journey

Rajpoot made notable contributions in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for several franchises over the years:

  • Chennai Super Kings (2013)
  • Kolkata Knight Riders (2016-17)
  • Kings XI Punjab (2018-19)
  • Rajasthan Royals (2020)

In his 29 IPL matches, Rajpoot picked up 24 wickets at an average of 33.91, with an economy rate of 9.23. He was also part of the Lucknow Super Giants squad in 2022, although he did not play in any matches.


Rajpoot’s Retirement Announcement

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Rajpoot expressed gratitude for his journey:

“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. I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for India, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, Kanpur Cricket Association, IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings 11, Rajasthan Royals, and Lucknow Super Giants.”

He went on to thank his coaches, teammates, support staff, and fans for their role in his success:

“To all my team-mates, coaches, especially thanks to physio Dr Saif Naqvi, my coach Shashi sir, and the support staff; it has been an absolute privilege to play with you all, and I thank you all for helping turn my dream into reality.”
“To all my fans who have supported me through the ups & downs, I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always been a source of motivation for me.”


Looking Forward to New Ventures

While bidding farewell to playing cricket, Rajpoot shared his excitement for the future:

“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in a new and different environment.”

He expressed his eagerness for the next chapter in his life:

“I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a Cricketer and I look forward to this new chapter in my life.”


Key Takeaways

  1. Ankit Rajpoot Retires: After 15 years of service to Indian cricket, the fast bowler calls time on his playing career.
  2. Successful Career Stats: 248 wickets in First-Class, 71 in List A, and 105 in T20 cricket.
  3. Notable IPL Contributions: Played for Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan Royals.
  4. Future Plans: Rajpoot is set to explore cricket-related business opportunities while staying connected to the sport.

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