Fast bowler Siddharth Kaul has announced his retirement from Indian cricket but has revealed that he is still open to playing in overseas leagues.
The 34-year-old played 3 T20Is and ODIs between June 2018 and February 2019. During the 2023-24 season, Kaul became Punjab’s highest wicket-taker, with 16 in 10 games, helping the side secure the maiden T20 crown in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He was also the highest wicket taker picking 19 wickets in six games in the 50 over Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Kaul mostly recently represented Punjab in the first half in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, where he went wicketless across two matches.
He has 297 first class wickets in 88 matches, at an average of 26.77 over a career that spanned 17 years. He also picked 199 List A wickets at 24.30 at and 182 wickets in T20s at 22.04 with an economy rate of 7.67.
Kaul broke through for Punjab in FC cricket as 17 year old and first hit the headlines a year last when he was part of Virat Kohli‘s U-19 World Cup side in Malaysia. However, multiple back injures set him back for over five years.
Between December 2007 and February 2012, Kaul played just six domestic matches across formats. When he returned, he was part of emerging youngsters in Punjab alongside Manpreet Gony, Sandeep Sharma and Barinder Sran.
Siddarth Kaul who announced his retirement today, was a sensation with the ball in domestic cricket. 🔥
The former Indian pacer & leading wicket taker in Vijay Hazare Trophy, @iamsidkaul, has also picked up 58 wickets in his IPL career. 👏🏼#BCCI #IPL pic.twitter.com/46bmcblWQF
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) November 28, 2024
He has also played for Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
“When I was a child playing cricket in the fields in Punjab, I had one dream. A dream to represent my country. In 2018, by God’s grace, I received my India Cap Number 75 in the T20i team and Cap Number 221 in the ODI team.”
“The time has now come to call time on my career in India and announce my retirement,” said Siddarth Kaul. Along with thanking BCCI, Kaul also thanked the various IPL franchises he was a part of.
“Words cannot express my gratitude for the love and support I have received through all the highs and lows of my career.”
“I want to thank God for the path that has been made for me; the fans for the endless support; my parents and family for the sacrifices and confidence you have given me, especially during the injuries and lows; my teammates over the years for the dressing room memories and friendships; the BCCI for fulfilling a young child’s dream to represent India and win the 2008 Under-19 World Cup and receive my T20i and ODI caps in 2018!,” Siddarth Kaul.
“Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL franchises for giving me memories of a lifetime; and last but not least, the @pcacricketassociation for giving me an opportunity to make my First Class debut in 2007 and supporting me throughout my career.”
“Without all your support, I would not be the person I am today. I don’t know what the future holds but I look back on this chapter with only fond memories and now on to the next chapter. Once again, thank you,” Siddarth Kaul concluded.
Over the years, Kaul’s wicket taking ability and death bowling skills has made him one of best bowlers of Punjab’s white-ball setup.
He finishes as the all-time highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare (155 wickets) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (120).
His peak performance cames from 2018 when he earned a T20I cap on the tour of Ireland after being a consistent performer in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderbad for two seasons.
In 2017, he picked up 16 wickets in 10 games, while in 2018 he was SRH’s joint highest wickettaker with 21 scalps in a season where they finished runners up to Chennai Super Kings.
