Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron announced his retirement from all forms of representative cricket, marking the end of a notable career that began over a decade ago.
The announcement came shortly after his team, Jharkhand, exited the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he had been participating.
Varun Aaron Career Overview
Varun Aaron, 35, first gained prominence during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he made headlines by clocking speeds exceeding 150 kph.
This performance earned him a spot in the India Emerging Players squad for a tour of Australia. He made his ODI debut against England in October 2011 and played his first Test match a month later against the West Indies.
Throughout his international career, Aaron played 9 ODIs and 9 Tests, taking a total of 29 wickets. His last appearance for India was in a Test match against South Africa in 2015.
Despite facing multiple injuries that hampered his progress, he managed to carve out a respectable first-class career, claiming 173 wickets in 66 matches at an average of 33.27. In List A cricket, he took 141 wickets at an impressive average of 26.47.
Retirement Announcement
In an emotional post on Instagram, Aaron expressed immense gratitude for his journey in cricket.
“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket,” he wrote.
He reflected on the joy and challenges of his career and mentioned looking forward to savoring life’s smaller joys while remaining connected to the sport that has given him so much.
Aaron acknowledged the support he received throughout his career from family, friends, teammates, coaches, and fans. He specifically thanked organizations like the BCCI and JSCA for their invaluable support during critical phases of his career.
IPL Journey
Varun Aaron also had a significant presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing five franchises: Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans. He won the IPL title with Gujarat Titans in 2022, which marked his last season in the league.
