Former Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel announces retirement from Cricket

2011 World Cup winner and a senior Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel has called time on his cricketing career in all format. The 35-year old last appeared in the national uniform seven years ago and was a part of Gujarat Lions in IPL 2017. Munaf Patel cited lack of motivation as the primary reason for finishing his 15-year long career.

The right-arm medium pace bowler first came into the limelight with his runaway pace at the MRF Pace Foundation at Chennai. Munaf was subsequently picked for Mumbai and Maharashtra first-class team and his spell of 7/97 on his first-class debut against England A hastened his national selection.

In 2006, Munaf Patel made his Test debut against England and was soon drafted in India’s limited-overs team as well. He was a part of India’s 2007 and 2011 World Cup campaigns. He also represented many IPL franchises over the years, such as Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Lions. 

Speaking about the decision to hang his boots, Munaf told to Indian Express, “There is no special reason, age ho chuka hai (I have aged) 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.”

Winning the World Cup in 2011 was the greatest cricketing moment for Munaf, he revealed, “I was part of World Cup winning team in 2011; there can’t be a greater high than that.”

According to the reports, Munaf will be seen in action in the T10 League which starts later this month and features many other prominent former Indian cricketers. He wishes to pursue a career in coaching once his playing days are over.

The Gujarat-born bowler retires with an experience of 13 Tests, 70 One-Day International (ODI) and 3 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. In domestic cricket, the bowler played primarily for Baroda and Gujarat. He has an average of 24.43 in First-class cricket with 231 wickets from 69 matches. He had also played 140 List A matches and 97 T20s.