The Indian fast bowler Ashoke Dinda announced retirement from all forms of the game after 15 years in Bengal cricket at the age of 36. Addressing the media, in Kolkata, Dinda made the announcement that he is hanging his boots from all forms of cricket on Tuesday, February 2. He made his international debut in 2009, in a T20I against Sri Lanka, followed by making his ODI debut in Zimbabwe in 2010.
Ashoke Dinda played 13 ODIs for India, with the last one being against England at Rajkot in 2013 and 9 T20I matches for India. However, he had a huge domestic career while playing for Bengal. Dinda was dropped by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) in December 2019 during the Ranji Trophy after he abused the Bengal cricket team’s bowling coach Ranadeb Bose.
Dinda played 116 first-class matches for Bengal, in which he managed to scalp 420 wickets at a bowling average of 28.28. In List A matches, he played 98 fixtures in his career bagging 151 wickets- all for Bengal cricket team. He last appeared in T20 fixtures for Goa, last month, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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Announcing his retirement, Ashoke Dinda said, “I am today retiring from all formats of cricket. I have sent the mails to BCCI and GCA to this effect. There have been several people who have helped me throughout my career whom I would like to thank beginning with my parents. Then it’s Dada (Sourav Ganguly).”
He further added, “It is because of him that I got to play for Bengal and when as skipper he stood at mid-off he would always guide and encourage me. I can’t thank CAB enough for the support encouragement and backing i got. Today also I made one to to our Association President Avishek (Dalmiya) and he immediately gave me this platform to retire.”
Dinda further said that while playing Mushtaq Ali Trophy he accepted the fact that his body was not supporting him and hence the decision.
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Talking about the same, CAB President Avishek Dalmiya said, “The contribution of Ashoke is enormous. He is one of the best fast bowlers we have produced. He will be remembered for his ability to take wickets and win matches, bowl long spells and his never say die spirit. He is welcome to be associated with CAB in some form as and when he wants. We wish him the best in his life beyond cricket.”
