Parthiv Patel, former Indian wicketkeeper has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 35-year-old left-hander, who made his international debut in 2002, played 25 Tests, 38 ODIS and two T20Is for India. While the Gujarat cricketer represented his state in 194 first-class matches. “Today, I announce retirement from all forms of cricket and as I bring down curtains on this 18 year-old cricketing journey, I feel heavier with gratitude for many,” the 35-year-old Parthiv said in a statement on his official twitter and instagram account.
Parthiv Patel made his international debut at a tender age of 17. He has played 65 international games for the country, which included 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and two T20 Internationals. Parthiv scored nearly 1700 runs (1696) across formats with 934 runs (6 half centuries) coming in the longest format. Parthiv Patel has scored nearly 1700 runs in international cricket. Parthiv burst into the scene in early 2002, when he was sent to England after having played for India A in South Africa and even before he made his Ranji Trophy debut. “The BCCI showed a generous amount of confidence and faith in a 17-year-old boy to play for India. I have enormous gratitude towards them for guiding me and hand holding me in the formative years of my young career,” Parthiv further stated. Once Mahendra Singh Dhoni came into the scene, just like other glovesman, Parthiv also had to play the catch-up game and be satisfied being the second keeper and at times playing as a specialist batsman. He rediscovered himself as an opening batsman in white ball cricket and that’s how played a bit of ODIs for India during his second coming but chances were few and far between.
Parthiv Patel, however was a domestic veteran and was the captain of Gujarat for a really long time. He played an astonishing 194 first-class games in which he had scored 11,240 runs with 27 hundreds at an average of 43 plus. Parthiv did play for a lot of IPL teams, including Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore during the last 13 editions. Probably not getting a game in this IPL edition for RCB was decisive in his case.
“I want to thank the IPL franchises and their owners who made me a part of their teams and looked after me well,” he said. A long time leader of the Gujarat Ranji team, his finest hour would certainly be captaining his state to maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in 2016-17 season. “I feel at peace having played the game in its truest tenets with dignity and in the spirit of the game and most importantly with great camaraderie.
“As I walk away a proud man, having fulfilled more dreams than I thought possible, I hope to be remembered with that thought and find your support for my future endeavours.” He said while signing off.