Siddarth Kaul announces retirement from Indian cricket to focus on overseas opportunities

Veteran Indian pacer Siddarth Kaul has announced his retirement from Indian cricket, bringing an end to a career that spanned over 17 years. The 34-year-old, who was part of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup team in 2008 alongside Virat Kohli, shared his decision on social media, expressing gratitude for his journey and reflecting on his future plans.

Kaul represented India in six international matches, with three appearances each in ODIs and T20Is between 2018 and 2019. He earned his debut following stellar performances in the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he emerged as a key bowler during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Announcing his retirement on X, Kaul wrote, “When I was a child playing cricket in the fields in Punjab, I had one dream: to represent my country. In 2018, by God’s grace, I received my India Cap Number 75 in the T20I team and Cap Number 221 in the ODI team. The time has now come to call time on my career in India. Words cannot express my gratitude for the love and support I have received through all the highs and lows of my career.”

Kaul thanked his family, teammates, fans, and the BCCI for their support, crediting them for shaping his career. He also expressed his pride in being part of memorable moments, including India’s Under-19 World Cup victory and his contributions in domestic cricket.

Kaul recently played a vital role in Punjab’s maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win during the 2023-24 season. He was the team’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 16 scalps in 10 games. Over his career, Kaul achieved remarkable milestones, finishing with 297 wickets in 88 first-class matches, 199 in List A cricket, and 182 in T20s at an impressive economy rate of 7.67.

Despite his domestic success, Kaul’s recent performances in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy were less impactful, as he went wicketless in two games.

Kaul’s IPL career saw him represent multiple franchises, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He shone brightest with SRH, particularly in 2018, when he was the joint-highest wicket-taker for the franchise with 21 wickets.

Internationally, Kaul made his debut during India’s 2018 tour of Ireland. Although his time with the national team was brief, his performances in the domestic circuit ensured he remained a respected figure in Indian cricket.

Kaul is now looking forward to pursuing opportunities overseas, including county cricket and global T20 leagues. He recently represented Northamptonshire in England’s County Championship, where he impressed with 13 wickets in three games.

“I feel I still have 3-4 years of cricket left in me, but I wanted to go out on a high when I was at peak fitness and performing well. Going forward, I’d like to explore opportunities in county cricket, the Legends League, or other leagues like MLC,” Kaul shared.