The Indian cricketing world was in for a shock on Wednesday as veteran cricketer Murali Vijay announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Vijay represented India in 87 matches across formats, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of Indian cricketing history.
Vijay made the bulk of his appearances for India as an opening batter in the Test format.
Over the course of 61 matches, he scored 3982 runs at a commendable average of 38.29.
He achieved this feat with the help of 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries.
One of his most memorable performances came during the 2014 India tour of England, where he emerged as the team’s highest scorer with 402 runs, saving the side from a batting collapse.
Apart from his international career, Vijay also made a mark in the Indian Premier League, where he accumulated 2619 runs in 106 matches.
He was a crucial member of the Chennai Super Kings, helping them win back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2014.
Vijay also represented India in 17 ODIs and 9 T20Is, showcasing his versatility and adaptability across formats.
In a heartwarming post on Twitter, Vijay confirmed his retirement from international cricket and thanked everyone who had been a part of his journey.
He wrote, “Today, with immense gratitude & humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of international cricket.” He went on to express his gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), Chennai Super Kings, and Chemplast Sanmar for giving him the opportunity to represent India at the highest level of sport.
Vijay also took the time to acknowledge and thank all his teammates, coaches, mentors, and support staff who had helped him turn his dream into a reality.
He said, “It has been an absolute privilege to have played with you all, and I thank you all for your contribution to my career.”
Vijay then went on to thank the cricketing fans who had supported him through the ups and downs of international sport.
He said, “To all the cricket fans who have supported me, I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always been a source of motivation for me.”
He also thanked his family and friends for their unconditional love and support throughout his career, acknowledging them as his backbone without whom he would not have been able to achieve what he has.
In conclusion, Vijay announced that he is excited to explore new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it.
He expressed his belief that this is the next step in his journey as a cricketer and looked forward to this new chapter in his life.
He wished all his former teammates and the Indian cricket team the best for their future endeavors, bidding farewell with the words “Love to all, more to life.”
