Parthiv Patel retires from all forms of cricket

Parthiv Patel retires from all forms of cricket

Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel
Parthiv Patel

Gujurat wicketkeeper batsman Parthiv Patel bids adieu to all the formats of cricket. Patel broke into international cricket in 2002 at the tender age of 17 years and 153 days as he become the youngest wicketkeeper in Tests. But the emergence of Rahul Dravid as a makeshift stumper and then that of MS Dhoni cut short his career in the blues of India. He marked his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2003. And was selected in India’s squad for the 2003 World Cup but he didn’t get to feature in any of the games owing to Dravid’s gloveswork.

Patel featured in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, couple of T20Is for India and in 187 first-class matches during his 18-year long career. He returned to international cricket during 2011 West Indies tour as Dhoni was rested along with some senior players. It was also in 2016 when Parthiv rose to a bit of limelight as he proved the selectors’ decision correct. He played two crucial knocks against England in Mohali and Chennai. But was once again sidelined as Wriddiman Saha rose to become India’s first-choice stumper in Test cricket.

Glorious domestic career

Parthiv Patel
Parthiv Patel

During his start-stop international career, the 35-year-old boasts 934 runs and 62 catches in Test cricket. In 50 overs cricket, he played 38 games to amass 736 runs and 30 catches. But the highlight of his career is his first-class stats which speak volumes about his capacities. He has 10,797 runs in 187 first-class matches he played at an impressive average of 43.36.

Patel is the first skipper to lift all the three major domestic titles under his belt. The baby faced glovesman led Gujurat to the final of the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy. Patel led from the front with his 143 in the second innings of the final against Mumbai. His heroics propelled Gujurat to their maiden Ranji title. And with it, Gujarat became the first team lift all the three major domestic titles.

The Indian Premier League 2015 saw him score 339 runs to finish as the fourth-highest run-scorer in Mumbai Indians‘ victorious campaign. Parthiv was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020 but didn’t get a game with AB de Villiers donning the gloves.

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