Siddarth Kaul retires from Indian cricket, open to playing overseas

Indian fast bowler Siddarth Kaul has announced his retirement from cricket, just three days after going unsold at the IPL mega auction held in Saudi Arabia. Kaul, who made his debut in 2018, has represented India in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is).

In his retirement announcement, Kaul shared his journey on social media, reflecting on his childhood dreams. He wrote, "As a child, I played cricket on the fields of Punjab, and I had one dream – to represent my country. I played T20 and ODI matches in 2018. Now, it's time to end my career in India and announce my retirement."

He continued by expressing his gratitude for the love and support he received throughout his career: "I cannot express in words the love and support I have received through all the ups and downs of my career. I want to thank God for the path that has been created for me."

Kaul also thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for fulfilling his dream, saying, "Representing India and playing in the 2018 T20 and ODI series fulfilled the dream of a young boy. Thank you, BCCI, for making it happen."

The pacer thanked the IPL franchises he played for, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, for the memories they gave him. He said, "I thank the IPL franchises – Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore – for giving me lifelong memories. And lastly, thank you to Punjab Cricket for giving me the opportunity to debut in First-Class cricket in 2007 and for supporting me throughout my career."

Siddhart Kaul played a crucial role in India's victory in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, where he took 10 wickets, the most by any Indian fast bowler in the tournament. He made his IPL debut in 2013 with Delhi Daredevils, later playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. After a 17-year-long career, Kaul has decided to retire at the age of 34.