Abhishek Nayar has retired from first-class cricket after a 13-year long career during which he represented Mumbai and Puducherry in Indian domestic circuit. The veteran all-rounder, who was instrumental to Mumbai’s last three Ranji Trophy titles, mentioned that after all these years of playing cricket there was no longer any “motivation left” to continue. The 36-year-old domestic stalwart represented Mumbai in 99 first-class games and played four times for Puducherry in the Ranji Trophy last season. Nayar retires with 13 centuries and 173 first-class wickets to his name.
"Yes, I gave a letter to the BCCI and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) when I was in the West Indies (to help the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League) last month, informing them of my decision to quit the game. I thanked both of them, all my coaches, my teammates, family and friends for all the support they gave me through my thick and thin," Nayar has told Times of India on October 23, 2019 (Tuesday).
Abhishek Nayar Retires
It's been an absolute honour and I'm grateful for all the support I've received through my playing career.Gave it my everything and like they say 'no regrets no comebacks'.its time to move on...thank you everyone for… https://t.co/oqYs3wK30u
— abhishek nayar (@abhisheknayar1) October 23, 2019
The 36-year-old all-rounder was a mainstay in the Mumbai domestic team until the 2017-18 season when he was dropped. The left-handed batsman and seam bowler then shifted base to Puducherry where he finished his first-class career with a five-wicket haul in his final innings. Nayar took 5/76 against Sikkim in his final FC innings for Puducherry.
"At the end of the day, I've no regrets in my career, not even the fact that I couldn't play my 100th first-class game for Mumbai. After all, how many players get to play 99 games for Mumbai? I'm lucky that I played 99. Not playing that one game doesn't change the way I look at the 99 games I played for Mumbai. I'm extremely happy and content with my career, and Mumbai cricket will always have a special place close to my heart. I know what it takes to be a part of that dressing room," Nayar said. "I made good friends in my game, and played with all my heart and will."
The left-hander also represented India in three One-Day Internationals in 2009 but failed to pick up a wicket or score a single run and was eventually dropped. Since July last year, he has been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He initially served as a mentor but has been promoted to the role of as an assistant for the upcoming IPL season.
But despite international disappointment, Nayar was a star in the Indian domestic circuit where he scored 5749 runs in just 103 matches at an average of 45.62. He was handy with the ball too and took 173 wickets at an average of 31.47, which included six five-wicket hauls.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2019 12:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).