'Ikhar Express' Munaf Patel comes to a halt; announces retirement

The 2011 World Cup-winning bowler retired from all forms of cricket

Munaf-Patel-file (File) Munaf Patel

Former India pacer Munaf Patel, who was once hailed as India's fastest bowler, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, on Friday. The 35-year-old pacer, who made his international debut in March 2006 against England in Mohali, played 13 Tests, 70 ODIs and three T20Is for India, taking 125 international wickets in all.

“There is no regret; after all the cricketers I played with have retired. Only Dhoni is left! Baki sab done ho chuke hain. So, there is no sadness as such. Sabka time khatam ho chuka hain, gum hota jab saare khel rahe hote aur mein retire kar raha hota (everyone’s time is up; there would have been sadness if others were playing and only I had quit),” he told The Indian Express.

“There is no special reason [for the retirement], age ho chuka hai, fitness is not the same. Youngsters are there waiting for chances and it doesn’t look nice if I keep hanging on. The main thing is there is no motivation left,” he said.

Hailing from Ikhar village in the Bharuch district of Gujarat, Patel's defining moment in his career was being part of the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian team. In fact, he was the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 11 wickets, behind Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh. A feat which prompted the then bowling coach Eric Simmons to call him the “unsung hero” of India's 2011 World Cup win.

Interestingly, it was an injury to fellow pacer Praveen Kumar which facilitated his comeback into the World Cup squad. After an impressive debut, where he took 7/97—the best figures for an Indian pacer in his debut Test—against England, his career gradually petered out, partly because of injuries, which caused him to lose pace drastically, and partly because of his laid-back attitude, especially towards fitness. He last played for India in 2011 across all formats, but continued to play for Baroda.

Patel had also represented Mumbai, Maharashtra and Gujarat in domestic cricket. In IPL, he played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions.

Patel will be playing in the upcoming T10 league at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from November 21 to December 2. He says that he would like to remain connected with the game as a coach. “Mera mann aaj bhi nahi maan raha hai ke cricket chhodoon as I don’t know anything else. Cricket hi samaj mein aata hain (I still can't believe I am quitting cricket as I don't know anything else. I understand only cricket)," he told The Indian Express.

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