'This is the right time for this...' - Star Indian batter announces retirement from professional cricket with an emotional press conference

In a recent piece of news, Indian batter Saurabh Tiwary has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket; he will make his last appearance in professional cricket in Jharkhand’s last game of Ranji Trophy 2024 against Rajasthan, starting on February 15 at Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur.

Notably, he was part of India’s U19 World Cup-winning team 16 years back in 2008 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. The Southpaw started his journey in First-Class cricket for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy 2006-07 in his teenage.

Here’s what Saurabh Tiwary said in a press conference

The 34-year-old star Jharkhand batter also addressed a press conference in Kennan Stadium ahead of his team’s next match against Rajasthan at the home ground. In this press conference, Tiwary reflected on his cricketing journey and stated his decision to call it a day in professional cricket.

“It's a little tough to bid farewell to this journey that I had started before my schooling. But I'm also sure that this is the right time for this. I feel that if you're not in the national team and IPL, it's better to vacate a spot in the state side for a youngster. Youngsters are getting a lot of chances in our Test team so I'm making this decision,” said Tiwary on Monday.

“It's not like I've decided this only based on my performances. You can see my record in Ranji and the last domestic season. It's always asked what I'm going to do next and for now, I only know that cricket is the only thing I know so I'm going to be connected to the game. I got an offer from politics too but I haven't thought about that,” he added later.

However, Saurabh Tiwary didn’t have an expected career in international cricket; he could play only 3 ODIs for India and scored only 49 runs in 2 innings.