Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha, at the age of 37, has announced his retirement on Monday(15-02-2021) from all forms of cricket.
The Madhya Pradesh born cricketer holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in the Ranji Trophy, has featured in one Test, one ODI, and two T20 Internationals.
Naman Ojha Announced Retirement
#Indian international cricket player Naman Ojha announced his retirement. He was worst in tears while announced his retirement from international cricket. pic.twitter.com/yciKLXBiEX
— Govind Gurjar (@govindtimes) February 15, 2021
Ojha Maiden Test
Ojha had to wait for nearly 14 years for his maiden Test call-up. An injury to Wriddhiman Saha during the England tour, in 2014, saw Ojha being called-up for the 4th Test at Old Trafford. Since MS Dhoni was still leading the team, Ojha sat out.
A year later, Ojha was recalled to the Test side after Saha missed the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka. He scored 56 runs on his Test debut. In 2016, the selectors decided against recalling Ojha after Saha was ruled out for the final three Tests against England.
His 3 white-ball appearances came on the Zimbabwe tour, under Suresh Raina, in 2010. Ojha scored one run in 50-over cricket and 12 runs in 2 T20Is.
“After 20 years in first-class cricket and many more during the junior competitions, I feel it’s time for me to move on. It was a long journey and a wonderful phase of my life,” Ojha said.
“I am grateful to all who supported me in achieving the dream of playing for my country and state – my coaches, trainers, physios and selectors, my captains and teammates, my family and well-wishers, and MPCA & BCCI.”
While he has retired from international and domestic cricket, Ojha hopes to play foreign leagues and said:
“While I leave the competitive format of the game for my State and Country with best of memories, I shall be keen to wear the gloves and face the ball in global competitions. Cricket has given me best of almost everything in my life till date. In future, I shall strive hard to return back to this beautiful game to the best of my abilities.”
After announcing his retirement in Indore on Tuesday, an emotional Ojha said that he took the tough call in order to prolong his shortest-format career in overseas leagues.
Naman Ojha’s cricket carrier
Ojha finished his career with 9,753 runs in First-Class cricket at 41.67 and also has 471 dismissals, including 54 stumpings, to his name.
With 7,861 runs in the Ranji Trophy, Ojha finished as the eighth highest run-getter in the tournament. Add to that the fact that his 351 dismissals in Ranji Trophy are the most by a wicketkeeper in the tournament’s history.
Ojha was a member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s title-winning squad in the IPL. Besides representing Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils earlier in the T20 league.
