The Karnataka all-rounder Stuart Binny who represented India in 6 Tests, 14 ODIs and 3 T20Is from 2014 to 2016 has bid adieu to his professional playing career at the age of 37. The right-handed batter and a prolific swing bowler, Binny holds the record for best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket. The bowler has a spell of 6-4 to his name which he registered against Bangladesh in 2014 in Dhaka.
He played last of his 23 games for India in August 2016, a T20I against West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida.
"It has given me tremendous joy and pride to have represented my country at the highest international level," Binny wrote in a letter announcing his retirement. The all-rounder went on to thanks his coaches, friends and family for supporting him throughout his cricketing journey.
"I'm grateful to the coaches who encouraged me, to the selectors who put their faith in me. To the friends who shared my cricketing journey with overwhelming pride, to the colleagues who put their hearts out on the battlefield with me. To my captains who entrusted me. None of this would have been possible had it not been for my family, I stepped out on the field every day thinking about them,” said Binny.
He might have got limited opportunity in international cricket, but in domestic cricket, he is no less than a Karnataka legend, being part of a golden period of Karnataka cricket in recent history where they went on to win the Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy for two continuous seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
In total, Binny played 95 first-class matches, scoring 4796 runs at an average of 34.25, apart from picking 148 wickets. In List A and T20 cricket, the Bangalore born, son of World Cup winner Roger Binny, Stuart played 100 and 150 matches respectively. Out of the 150 T20 games, 95 came in IPL for various franchises including Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.
The man with more than 3400 runs and 172 wickets in limited-overs cricket also thanked his IPL franchises and state team for their support. "My cricketing journey would not even have started had it not been for Karnataka and their support. It has been an honour to captain and win trophies with my state. I would also like to thank the IPL teams who have enriched my career,” Binny said.