India all-rounder Rumeli Dhar announces retirement from all forms

Indian all-rounder Rumeli Dhar has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket (international, club, and domestic). This comes a week after Mithali Raj called time on her illustrious career.

Dhar, 38, was a seam-bowling all-rounder who has represented India in four Tests, 78 One-Day Internationals(ODI), and 18 T20Is. She has 1,328 runs and 84 wickets across 100 appearances in all formats.

The 38-year-old made her debut in 2003, in a ODI against England, and was last seen wearing the Indian colors in 2018 in a T20I against Australia.

Dhar was also a part of India's squad that played the 2005 World Cup final in South Africa, losing to winners Australia.

She played her domestic cricket for Bengal, Delhi, Assam, and Rajasthan while featuring in sides like Asia Women XI, Airways, and Air India.

The right-hander batter took to Instagram to announce her decision: "23 years of my cricket career that started from Shyamnagar in West Bengal, has finally come to an end as I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.

"The journey has been a prolonged one with highs and lows. The high was representing the Indian Women's cricket team, playing the World Cup final in 2005 as well as leading the Women in Blue. A string of injuries plagued my career but I always come back stronger to make it count. 

Today as I bid adieu to the sport I have always loved, I thank my family, the BCCI, my friends, the teams I represented (Bengal, Railways, Air India, Delhi, Rajasthan and Assam) for believing in my abilities and giving me the opportunity to play for their teams. They helped pave my way towards the India team," she added.

"Each match in this prolonged career taught me a lesson that will help in my second innings. Like all journeys, mine will end as a cricketer today, but I promise to be associated with the sport and help nurture young talents in the country, giving back to the game in every way possible.

"Thanking everyone for me who has been there through all my ups and downs, everyone who has loved me, my game, pushed me when I needed the most, cheered me at my worst, laughed with me, scolded me when I needed. I owe each one of you for everything I am today.

"Today I am running out of the words to express the feeling that is within. Just want to thank everyone for being there for me...and giving me so much love all these years!".

She was also the joint highest wicket-taker for India in the 2009 T20 World Cup in England, picking up six wickets from four matches.