New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot has quit Indian cricket at the age of 31. The tall pacer has represented multiple franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but hasn’t played in the cash-rich league since the 2020 edition and went unsold in November’s mega-auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rajpoot said that he would hang up his playing boots in India in search of other opportunities in the cricketing world. The right-arm pacer, who made his first-class debut in the 2012-13 Ranji season for UP, bagged as many as 248 wickets in his red-ball career.
Rajpoot’s IPL journey and career highlights
Rajpoot was bought by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the 2013 edition of the IPL as an uncapped player. He has represented Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. His most recent franchise was Lucknow Super Giants, where he failed to get any game time.
Rajpoot grabbed the headlines in IPL 2028 with a sensational spell for Punjab Kings (formerly Kings X1 Punjab) against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The talented pacer returned with sensational figures of 5 for 14 in 4 overs – which to date is the joint-tenth-best spell in the history of IPL. His incredible spell which also included the prized wicket of iconic New Zealand batter Kane Williamson, however, went in vain, as the Sunrisers clinched a 13-run win in the low-scoring thriller in Hyderabad.
Key stats and achievements of Ankit Rajpoot
Overall, Rajpoot picked up 24 wickets in 29 IPL games. The 31-year-old quick played a couple of Ranji games this season but went wicketless in both.
Rajpoot announced his decision on the social media platform Instagram and thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), Kanpur Cricket Association (KSA), IPL franchises CSK, KKR, Kings 11 (Punjab), RR and LSG for the opportunities.
Rajpoot also wrote that following his retirement as a player, he will explore new opportunities in the world of cricket including the business side of it.
Uttar Pradesh fast bowler, Ankit Rajpoot, who picked up 5 for 14 in IPL 2018, has announced his retirement from Indian cricket at age 31. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
