Former India wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Announcing his decision of retirement, Parthiv Patel said, “Today, I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket, and as I bring down the curtains on my 18-year-long career, I feel heavier with gratitude towards many. The BCCI showed a generous amount of confidence and faith in a 17-year-old boy to play for India.”

The 35-year-old represented India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and 2 T20Is having made his international debut as a 17-year old in 2002.

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In his retirement statement, Parthiv Patel also thanked all the captains he played under, especially Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly, under whose captaincy he made his debut in international cricket.

“I’m especially indebted to Dada, my first captain, who showed immense faith in me,” said Parthiv Patel.

Patel was Test cricket’s youngest wicket-keeper when he made his debut in England in 2002 at an age of 17 years and 153 days.

Since then, Parthiv Patel continued to have a stop-start journey at the international level.

With MS Dhoni emerging in international cricket, Parthiv ended up losing his spot.

His last international appearance came in India’s famous Test win in Johannesburg in January 2018. A year later, he was also part of the squad when India won a Test series in Australia for the first time in their history.

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The wicket-keeper batsman made his debut in the One-day format in the year 2003.

He was also a part of the 2003 World Cup squad but he didn’t get a chance to feature in the playing XI.

In the Indian Premier League, Parthiv Patel represented Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians.

In one of the highest points of his cricketing career, Parthiv Patel had led Gujarat win its maiden Ranji Trophy tournament defeating Mumbai in the finals in the 2016-17 season.