Piyush Chawla retires from all forms of cricket

Piyush Chawla, the former Indian leg-spinner, has announced his retirement from professional cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned over two decades.

At 36, Chawla leaves behind a legacy marked by skill, resilience, and longevity. He represented India in three Tests, 25 ODIs, and seven T20Is, with his final international appearance coming at the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Though his time with the national side was intermittent, Chawla remained a consistent performer in domestic cricket and the IPL, where he earned a reputation as a dependable wicket-taker.

The 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy marked Piyush Chawla’s final appearance in domestic cricket. He had committed to the tournament in hopes of securing a spot in IPL 2025. However, after going unsold at the mega auction in November, Chawla transitioned to a new role, joining ESPNcricinfo's coverage team for the tournament.

Chawla featured in 192 IPL matches over the course of his career, representing four franchises — Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Mumbai Indians (MI). He claimed 192 wickets, cementing his place as one of the most consistent performers in the league's history. A defining moment came in the 2014 season when Chawla famously struck the winning runs in the final, sealing KKR's second IPL title in three years. His final IPL appearance came in 2024 with MI. He retires as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.

Chawla burst onto the scene at just 16 years old when he bowled the legendary Sachin Tendulkar with a googly during the 2005 Challenger Trophy — a moment that instantly grabbed headlines. His rising promise was soon recognized, and in 2006, he made his Test debut against England in Mohali. That same year, he was part of India's Under-19 World Cup squad, which also included future stars like Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravindra Jadeja.

His career peaked between 2007 and 2011, during which he was a key member of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007, the historic tri-series triumph in Australia in 2008, and the unforgettable ODI World Cup victory in 2011.

Chawla, who represented Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat in domestic cricket, finished his career with 446 first-class wickets in 137 matches. In a heartfelt farewell note on Instagram, he expressed gratitude to his coaches, KK Gautam and the late Pankaj Saraswat, among others.

"From representing India at the highest level to being part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup squads, every moment in this incredible journey has been nothing short of a blessing. These memories will forever remain etched in my heart. Though I step away from the crease, cricket will always live with me, I now look forward to embarking on a new journey, carrying the lessons and spirit of this beautiful game,” Chawla wrote.

Cover Credits - BCCI