Munaf Patel retires from all forms of cricket

Munaf Patel announces retirement from all forms of cricket: Munaf, who will turn up in the upcoming T10 cricket league as a cricketer for the last time in his career, wants to pursue a coaching career.

Indian medium pacer Munaf Patel, who was a member of the World Cup winning squad in 2011, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, 15 years after making his first-class debut.

Munaf, who will turn up in the upcoming T10 cricket league as a cricketer for the last time in his career, wants to pursue a coaching career.

The 35-year-old made it clear that there are no regrets but also stressed that the decision to retire was not an easy one. “There is no regret; after all the cricketers I played with have retired. Only Dhoni is left! So, there is no sadness as such,” Munaf told Indian Express. “I still can’t believe I am quitting cricket as I don’t know anything else. I understand only cricket.”

Munaf made his Test debut way back in 2006 along with Piyush Chawla against England in Mohali and immediately grabbed eyeballs by claiming 7 wickets in the match. His devastating spell in the second innings (4/24) skittled England out for 181. India won the match comfortably by 9 wickets. He was also one of the very few cricketers who straight away made it to India A squad even before playing a first-class game. Munaf’s first first-class match was for India A against New Zealand in 2003.

A product of the MRF Foundation, Munaf went on to represent  India in 13 Test matches, 70 ODIs and 3 T20Is. His played a major role in India’s World Cup victory in 2011. India’s bowling coach Eric Simmons had even termed him an unsung hero of India’s World Cup triumph for picking up 11 wickets in the tournament, including a three-for against arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final.

Munaf had his moments in the IPL too. He tasted success in the inaugural edition of IPL with Rajasthan Royals and later on moved to Mumbai Indians before making a brief appearance – his final one – in the IPL for now defunct franchise Gujarat Lions in 2017.

Speaking about the reason behind his retirement, Munaf stressed the age factor and fitness “There is no special reason, age ho chuka hai, fitness is not the same. Youngsters are there waiting for chances and it doesn’t look nice if I keep hanging on. The main thing is there is no motivation left. I was part of World Cup winning team in 2011; there can’t be a greater high than that.”