BREAKING
‘No hiding behind fake accounts’: Neha Sharma warns AI content creatorsImran Khan challenges ‘Leave India’ notice in Bombay HC, seeks urgent stay before October 28 deadlineRahul Gandhi seeks evidence to file cases over alleged police brutalityDP World PGTI eyes new generation of world-class Indian golfersRajamouli praises scale and performances of upcoming ‘Ramayana’ filmHaryana’s Khushi Kadian completes hat-trick at Fenesta Open‘We are leaving this world’: Gurugram man suspected of killing wife before dying by suicideAmruta bags silver at U-23 World Wrestling ChampionshipsJio eyes growth from 2G upgrades, broadband, AI ahead of Rs 30,213-cr IPOBengaluru awaits rain clearance for series decider
Sports

Team India batter Punam Raut announces retirement from international cricket

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 16 Oct 2026 1 day ago

New Delhi: batter Punam Raut announced her retirement from international cricket on October 15, ending her career that spanned more than a decade. The right-handed batter made her international debut in 2009 and last played for the country in 2021.

She scored 2299 runs in 73 ODI matches, 719 runs in 35 T20I games and 264 runs in four Test matches. Punam smashed four international centuries, including three in ODIs and one in a Test match against South Africa in 2014. She had also hit 15 half-centuries in ODIs and four in T20Is. Punam’s final international appearance came in an ODI match against England in June 2021.

Punam scored 381 runs in the 2017 Women’s World Cup, helping India to reach the final. She struck 86 runs in the summit clash against England at Lord’s, which the Women in Blue lost by nine runs. She also scored 109 runs against Ireland, stitching a record-breaking 320-run partnership with for the opening wicket.

‘Representing India was never just a dream fulfilled, it was a privilege’

In her retirement announcement on Instagram, Punam reflected on her cricketing journey and said that it was filled with sacrifices, struggles, tough lessons, and moments she will cherish for a lifetime.

“From the streets of Mumbai to wearing the Indian jersey, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. A journey filled with sacrifices, struggles, unforgettable victories, tough lessons, and moments I will cherish for a lifetime,” Punam wrote in an Instagram post.

“Representing India was never just a dream fulfilled; it was a privilege I carried with immense pride. As I close this chapter of my international cricket career, my heart is filled with gratitude for everyone who believed in me, stood by me, and became a part of my journey. Cricket gave me more than a career. It gave me a purpose, an identity, and a family”.

“The player in me may step aside, but the love for this game will never retire. My next innings is about giving back to the game that gave me everything,” she added.

Punam has also played in India’s historic pink-ball Test match against Australia in 2021, scoring 36 runs in the first innings. She earned widespread praise for walking off after edging a delivery despite the umpire ruling her not out.

Related News