Former Indian pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji announced his retirement from first-class cricket yesterday. Known for his heroics during India’s historic tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, Balaji had a very short career at the international level due to injuries. However, he was one of the most consistent performers in the domestic circuit where he represented Tamil Nadu for over fifteen years.
Balaji retired only after two years after making his Test debut in 2003. Overall, he played eight Tests and took 27-wickets. He has a better record in first-class cricket where he claimed 330 scalps in 106 matches at 26.10.
Cricketers took to Twitter to wish the cricketer on an illustrating career but as expected Virender Sehwag stole the show once again. Apart from his performance on the Pakistan tour, Balaji made a lot of fans during that series by his charming smile and Sehwag’s tweet was related to that fact.
Here are the tweets:
Har baat par Smile har koi nahi kar paata,but Laxmi ke Pati Balaji @Lbalaji55 ki Smile ka Jawaab nahi.
Feel proud BB pic.twitter.com/imuubUnaMA— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 15, 2016
Never played with @Lbalaji55 but as an opponent he always struck me as a being a great team man. All the best mate. https://t.co/pYQemFeVmS
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) September 16, 2016
Congratulations @Lbalaji55 on a fantastic career and all the best for your future endeavors!! Fighter to the core ??
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) September 15, 2016
My bowling partner on d other end of the pitch retiring from fc cricket but not letting u retire from our friendship pic.twitter.com/0EWl2B4jpM
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 15, 2016
Remember @Lbalaji55 knocking over Yasir Hameed with a beauty.My best memory of his was from the QF of the Ranji trophy against Bengal.
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) September 15, 2016
Congratulations @Lbalaji55 on your career??Wishing you lots of success in your future endeavours?
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 15, 2016
The best smile I have seen on a cricket field has decided to leave d field.Great career&some gr8memories @Lbalaji55 pic.twitter.com/oUDuC4I0dK
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 15, 2016
A wonderful bowler and one of the finest human beings. Congrats @Lbalaji55 bhai on your career, may you have a wonderful 2nd innings too.??
— SAYYED IQBAL ABDULLAH (SIA) (@iqqiabdullah) September 15, 2016
Balalee congratulations on an outstanding career. Keep smiling. It sparkles the world.@priyathalurB @Lbalaji55
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) September 15, 2016