Lakshmipathy Balaji announces retirement from First-class cricket

Tamil Nadu player cum coach Lakshmipathy Balaji announced he will be retiring from First-class cricket on Wednesday.

Announcing his retirement from the longer version of cricket Balaji said, “I have to move on, have a young family now. I have given it all during my 16 years as a first class cricketer.”

Balaji succeeded to leave his mark in Indian cricket on many occasions. “I would ask myself how Kumble would deal with it. Then I would get my answer,” replied Balaji to the Hindu when asked how he would deal with injuries and yet come back stronger.

The fast-medium bowler had a short Test career representing the nation only eight times. Still, it was L. Balaji who was the most popular player in Pakistan during India’s tour of Pakistan in 2004. The following year, Balaji played his last test for the national side.

On the same tour, playing the decisive third test in Rawalpindi, Balaji took seven wickets including that of the Pakistan captain Inzamam Ul Haq. “It was a late outswinger, Inzamam nicked it and I would never forget that moment. We won the Test and the series, for the first time in Pakistan,” said Balaji.

The following year, he picked up nine wickets against the same opposition after coming back from an injury. “I had come back from an injury and bowled with a remodeled action. I was generating good pace and took out Younis Khan with a mean one,”

Zaheer Khan would share ideas with Balaji

With Anil Kumble as his cricketing icon, the bowler said he also had help from another Indian bowler and teammate Zaheer Khan during his career. “Zak would constant share his ideas with me, encourage me. He is a fine person,” he said.

He also praised former India coach John Wright for his impact on his career. “I was very young, just around 20, when I played for India. John really believed in me and made me believe in myself.”

Lakshmipathy Balaji played 106 matches in First-class cricket, picking up 330 scalps. He also picked up 27 wickets in his Test career. Balaji also captained the Tamil Nadu side in the 2011-12 season, who ended up in the Final.

“I want to thank the TNCA and all those cricketers and coaches who guided me,” Balaji said to The Hindu.

However, Balaji is still undecided about his future but is expected to continue as the bowling coach of the Tamil Nadu Ranji side.