Piyush Chawla Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket; Shares Emotional Farewell Post
Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The leg-spinner shared an emotional post on social media, marking the end of a remarkable journey spanning over two decades.
Chawla, who last played an international match for India in 2012, represented the country in 3 Tests, 25 ODIs, and 7 T20Is, claiming a total of 43 wickets in international cricket. Across all formats of professional cricket—including domestic and league matches—he took over 1000 wickets.
A Heartfelt Farewell
In his retirement post, Chawla reflected on his long and fulfilling cricketing career:
"After more than two decades on the field, it is time to say goodbye. Representing India at the international level, being a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning teams—every moment of this incredible journey has been a blessing for me. These memories will always remain in my heart."
He also expressed gratitude for his experiences in the Indian Premier League (IPL), calling it a “special part” of his career, adding that he had “enjoyed every moment” of the journey.
Chawla paid a touching tribute to his late father, writing:
“A special mention to my late father. His faith gave me confidence. Without him, this journey would never have been possible.”
He concluded with a heartfelt message for his fans and the cricketing community:
“Today is a very emotional day for me, as I am officially announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. Even though I am now stepping away from the game, cricket will always live on in my heart. Now I am ready for a new journey, where I carry the emotions and teachings of this beautiful game with me.”
Career Highlights
Piyush Chawla made his Test debut in March 2006 against England, becoming the second youngest Indian to play a Test match at the time. A crafty leg-spinner known for his control and variations, Chawla was part of India’s 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and 2011 ICC ODI World Cup winning squads—two landmark achievements in Indian cricket history.
In the IPL, Chawla had an impressive career, playing for four franchises: Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Mumbai Indians (MI). He featured in 192 IPL matches, making him one of the most experienced players in the league. His last IPL season was with Mumbai Indians, spanning from 2022 to 2024.