Joginder Sharma, an Indian bowler who was a part of the team that defeated Pakistan by five runs in South Africa in 2007 to win the first T20 World Cup, announced his retirement on Friday.
The former bowler announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Twitter. Joginder expressed his gratitude to the ICC, BCCI, and Haryana Cricket Association for allowing him to play the sport for more than 15 years in a touching statement.
When Pakistan’s final pair, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Mohammad Asif, took the field in Johannesburg, Sharma was tasked with holding off 13 runs in the final over.
Before mistiming a scoop shot and S. Sreesanth grabbing a straightforward catch at short fine-leg, Misbah reduced the equation to six runs needed off four balls. Sharma, who is 39 years old, is currently the Deputy Superintendent of the Haryana Police.
Joginder Sharma, who was essential to Team India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on February 3 (Friday). Sharma shared a long statement on Twitter to make his decision public.
“Today, with immense gratitude & humility, I announce my retirement from all forms of international & domestic cricket,” Sharma said in a statement.
“My journey from 2002-2017 has been the most wonderful years of my life for it was an honor representing India at the highest level of the sport.
I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Haryana Cricket Association, Chennai Super Kings, and the Haryana Government.
“To all my teammates, coaches, mentors, and support staff: It has been an absolute privilege to have played with you all, and, I thank you all for helping tum my dream into reality.
To all cricket fans that have supported me through the ups & downs of international sport, I will forever cherish the moments I spent with you all and your support has always been a source of motivation for me.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my family & friends for their unconditional love and support throughout my career. They have been my backbones and without them, I would not have been able to achieve what I have today.
“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in a new and different environment.
I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to this new chapter in my life,” he said.
Joginder Sharma’s final over in T20 World Cup
The final over Joginder bowled in the 2007 T20 World Cup final will be remembered forever. In the final over of the competition, the right-arm pacer held off 12 runs and helped India win the first T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Joginder participated in the competition for four games and took four wickets.
Sharma, a native of Rohtak who represented Haryana in the domestic cricket league, made his international debut in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2004.
He took five wickets while playing for his country in four ODIs and four T20Is. His final game for the national team was the 2007 T20 World Cup championship game.
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