Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla officially brought the curtains down on a remarkable two-decade-long cricketing journey on Friday, announcing his retirement from all formats of the game. The 35-year-old, known for his subtle variations and fearless spirit, leaves behind a legacy marked by World Cup triumphs and consistent domestic performances.
Chawla was a vital part of India’s golden generation, featuring in the squads that lifted the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. He donned the Indian jersey in 25 ODIs, 3 Tests, and 7 T20Is, picking up more than 40 international wickets. Though his India appearances were limited, his impact in key moments was undeniable.
Happy retirement Piyush Chawla💐 pic.twitter.com/ZHvjUfV4Gc
— S P (@KnightRiderSP04) June 6, 2025
Piyush Chawla retires from all cricket formats, closing a memorable career. pic.twitter.com/3fwsALsL6V
— Vishal (@vishalx0008) June 6, 2025
Thank u for your services champ 🥺💜#piyushchawlapic.twitter.com/4uB37BpvRL https://t.co/lyKpIXCC2H
— ….🌶️ (@ThalaBheem321) June 6, 2025
Those deliveries of Piyush Chawla🔥 pic.twitter.com/LUudtQqdEf
— lndraz (@Indxrz) June 6, 2025
A giant in the IPL, Chawla played 192 matches across four franchises – Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Mumbai Indians – and bagged an equal number of wickets, 192, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in tournament history. His defining moment came in the 2014 final when he struck the winning runs for KKR, sealing their second title and etching his name in franchise folklore. His last IPL stint came with Mumbai Indians in 2024.
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Chawla’s final competitive appearance was in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Hoping for an IPL comeback, he entered the 2025 auction but went unsold. Shifting gears, he transitioned into the commentary box and joined ESPNcricinfo’s programming during the season.
He first made headlines in 2005 as a precocious 16-year-old, clean bowling Sachin Tendulkar with a googly in the Challenger Trophy. A year later, he made his Test debut in Mohali against England, having already made waves in India’s U-19 World Cup squad that included future stars like Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravindra Jadeja.
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On the domestic front, Chawla turned out for both Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, ending his first-class career with an impressive 446 wickets from 137 matches.
In a heartfelt farewell post on Instagram, Piyush Chawla paid tribute to mentors like KK Gautam and the late Pankaj Saraswat. “From representing India on the world stage to lifting two World Cups, every moment has been a blessing. Though I step away from the crease, cricket will forever be a part of me,” he wrote. “I now look forward to a new chapter, inspired by all the lessons this beautiful game has taught me.”
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