Joginder Sharma, the man who is one of the crucial reasons behind India’s triumph in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup 2007, announced his retirement from all formats of international and domestic cricket on Friday, February 3. Joginder successfully defended 13 runs in the nail-biting game against Pakistan final in Johannesburg on September 24, 2007.
Joginder Sharma decided to hang his boots from his competitive cricket career which lasted for almost 21 years. Having made his List A debut in the 2001/02 season, Joginder played until September 2022 in the Legends League Cricket. He also played under MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2011, picking up 14 wickets in 16 matches. The 39-year-old has been serving as Deputy Superintendent of Haryana Police. He was lauded for his efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The all-rounder also represented India in 4 ODIs and as many T20Is between 2004 and 2007. Incidentally, the medium pacer did not play another match for India after the T20 World Cup final in which MS Dhoni took a gamble by giving the last over to the Haryana medium pacer.
The gamble paid off and is considered one of the masterstrokes of Dhoni’s captaincy career. Pakistan needed 13 runs in the final over with only one wicket left. Misbah-ul-Haq, who was batting with Mohammad Asif, single-handedly led Pakistan’s chase of 158 after they were reduced to 6 for 77 in the final.
This day, in 2⃣0⃣0⃣7⃣#TeamIndia were crowned World T20 Champions 😎🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/o7gUrTF8XN
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 24, 2019
After bringing the equation down to 6 runs in 4 deliveries, Misbah decide to play the scoop shot in the third delivery of the over, which landed straight into the hands of deep fine-leg fielder S Sreesanth. It was Joginder who picked the final wicket in the big final that helped India become the world champions in T20Is.
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Joginder Sharma had also bowled the final over of the semi-final against Australia and picked up 2 wickets, including that of Michael Hussey and Brett Lee. Sharing his retirement announcement on social media, Joginder Sharma said his playing days were the best phase of his career and he is looking forward to new opportunities related to cricket.
Announced retirement from cricket Thanks to each and everyone for your love and support 🙏❤️👍👍 pic.twitter.com/A2G9JJd515
— Joginder Sharma 🇮🇳 (@MJoginderSharma) February 3, 2023
Announcing his retirement, “Today, with immense gratitude and humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket. My journey from 2002-2017 has been the most wonderful years of my life for it was an honor representing India at the highest level of the sport. I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Haryana Cricket Association, Chennai Super Kings, and Haryana Government.”
He further added, “I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environment. I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to this new chapter in my life.”
