Former India cricketer Hrishikesh Kantikar has formally announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 40 year old last played a match in 2013 for Rajasthan against Tamil Nadu. He cited his lack of fielding abilities at this age as the reason behind his retirement.
He said: The passion for batting was still there but the motivation to be on the ground fielding for long stretches of time, even in a match, didn’t really exist. I didn’t want fielding to be a formality. If I am not able to give as much as a youngster is giving on the field, then I shouldn’t be pushing myself for a place in a side, so I took the call.
Kanitkar played two Tests and 34 ODIs for India, scoring 74 and 339 runs, respectively. He was best remembered for scoring a boundary off Saqlain Mushtaq in the 1998 Independence Cup final against Pakistan in which 3 runs was needed off 2 balls. But unfortunately, he did not cement his place in the Indian team in spite of doing well courtesy India’s strong middleorder in the early 2000s.
But in domestic circuit, Kanitkar had great numbers for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In the 146 First Class matches he played, Kanitkar has scored a staggering 10,400 runs at 52.26 with 33 centuries. That includes over 8000 runs in Ranji Trophy. He also led Rajasthan to success in two consecutive Ranji Trophies.
I have had a great time. So many ups and down, but ups have been more than downs. I would like to especially thank the BCCI and all the state associations I played for – my home state Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It’s been a great life so far as a player. I am sure it will transform into a great life as a coach, as a commentator – whatever comes along, he added.