Former Indian all-rounder, Yusuf Pathan, and fast bowler, Vinay Kumar decided to announce retirement from all forms of the game on Friday. Yusuf, the older brother of another al-rounder, Irfan Pathan, is a two-time World Cup winner. He has also won the Indian Premier League twice with Kolkata Knight Riders – in 2012, 2014 – and once with Rajasthan Royals in 2008. On the other hand, The pacer represented India in 31 ODIs, nine T20Is, and one Test match.
In his retirement statement, Yusuf Pathan wrote: “I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. The time has come today for me to put a full stop to this innings of my life. I officially announce retirement from all forms of the game. Winning two World Cups for India and lifting Sachin Tendulkar on my shoulders were some of the best moments of my career.”
I thank my family, friends, fans, teams, coaches and the whole country wholeheartedly for all the support and love. #retirement pic.twitter.com/usOzxer9CE
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) February 26, 2021
Yusuf played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is in international cricket since making his debut in 2007. He was part of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. He amassed 810 ODI runs and 236 T20I runs for India. He also picked up 46 wickets in limited-overs international cricket.
WATCH – Virat Kohli Did A Funny Interruption During Axar-Hardik Conversation
The veteran all-rounder played 100 first-class matches, in which he had amassed 4825 runs and picking up 201 wickets. In List A cricket, he had scored 4797 runs and got 124 wickets from 199 matches. It was in T20s, though, that Yusuf was the most effective as a power hitter. In 274 T20s, he scored 4852 runs at a strike rate of 139.34 and also scalped 99 wickets at an economy rate of 7.63 runs per over. Yusuf played his last ODI against South Africa at Johannesburg in March 2012.
On the other hand, Vinay Kumar, in his note on Twitter, thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Karnataka State Cricket Association for presenting him with the opportunity to live his dream. He also thanked all the four franchises whom he played for in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Thankyou all for your love and support throughout my career. Today I hang up my boots. 🙏🙏❤️ #ProudIndian pic.twitter.com/ht0THqWTdP
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) February 26, 2021
In his message, the seamer wrote: “I am very grateful to Karnataka State Cricket Association for giving me the opportunity to represent the state team. From here I went on to play for India and represented the nation in all three formats of the game. I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to BCCI for making me a part of its family. Playing for the country is the ultimate dream for any sportsperson and I am glad and blessed to have achieved this feat.”
The domestic veteran also recalled the time he enjoyed playing under the likes of MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid made his cricketing experience enriching.
ALSO READ: Joe Root Feels English Batsmen Failed To Capitalize On The Start
Vinay Kumar said, “My cricketing experience has been enriched by playing under the great minds of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, and Rohit Sharma to name the few. Also, I was blessed to have Sachin Tendulkar as a mentor in Mumbai Indians.”
The pacer Vinay Kumar took 38 wickets in the ODI format and he also picked up 10 wickets in T20Is. He was a veteran in the domestic circuit, taking more than 500 wickets in 139 first-class matches. Vinay Kumar also went on to play 105 IPL matches and took 105 wickets at an economy rate of 8.39. He played for Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in franchise-based cricket.
