India fast bowler Mohit Sharma, 37, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after a professional journey that stretched from the maidans of Haryana to World Cups and three IPL finals.
The right-armer played 34 times for India – 26 ODIs and eight T20Is – collecting 31 and six wickets respectively. In the IPL he turned out for four franchises, most famously Chennai Super Kings, finishing with 120 appearances but, frustratingly, no winner’s medal.
“आज मैं क्रिकेट के सभी प्रारूपों से संन्यास की घोषणा करता हूं,” he wrote on Instagram, before thanking those who had shepherded his progress. “हरियाणा का प्रतिनिधित्व करने से लेकर भारत की जर्सी पहनने और IPL खेलने तक यह सफर किसी आशीर्वाद से कम नहीं था… अनिरुद्ध सर के प्रति मेरी गहरी कृतज्ञता जिनके लगातार मार्गदर्शन और भरोसे ने मेरे रास्ते को उन तरीकों से संवार दिया जिन्हें शब्दों में बयान करना आसान नहीं है।”
Debuting for India in 2013, Mohit earned selection for the 2015 ODI World Cup, where his tidy new-ball spells complemented the attack led by Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav. At franchise level he became one of MS Dhoni’s go-to bowlers at the death – that pressure-filled phase at the end of an innings.
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun believes those overs defined him. “He trusted his slower ball, even when batters knew it was coming,” Arun told local media. “That takes nerve.”
Haryana captain Jayant Yadav added: “He never forgot the state side; whenever he was free he was back in the dressing-room sharing tips.”
Away from the numbers, Mohit’s easy manner and willingness to mentor younger quicks earned respect. Injuries limited his international appearances after 2016, yet he found a late-career role with Gujarat Titans, helping them reach the 2023 final.
Three finals, no title – an unkind stat, though it hardly dims a career built on persistence. In his own words, the journey felt like “a blessing”. Many who shared the ride would agree.
