Siddarth Kaul retires from Indian cricket after a commendable career, now seeking opportunities abroad while reflecting on his achievements in domestic and international formats.
Fast bowler Siddarth Kaul has officially announced his retirement from Indian cricket, nearly six years after his last appearance for the national team. At the age of 34, Kaul concludes his international journey having earned six caps, with an even split of three appearances in Twenty20 Internationals and One Day Internationals between June 2018 and February 2019. While he steps away from the Indian cricket scene, Kaul remains open to opportunities abroad, signaling a potential continuation of his playing career on international platforms.
In the 2023-24 domestic season, Kaul played a pivotal role in helping Punjab secure their first T20 title. He showcased exceptional performance throughout the campaign, concluding as the highest wicket-taker for his team with 16 wickets garnered from ten matches, ultimately leading to Punjab lifting the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In addition, his influence extended to the 50-over format, where he again led his side as the top wicket-taker, capturing 19 wickets in just six matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Kaul’s recent participation in the first half of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season proved less fruitful, as he ended up without a wicket across two matches. Nonetheless, his first-class career has been impressive, with a total of 297 wickets across 88 matches and maintaining an average of 26.77 over a span of 17 years. Kaul’s figures in List A cricket are equally commendable, with 199 wickets at an impressive average of 24.30, while in T20 matches, he recorded 182 wickets at an average of 22.04 and achieved an economy rate of 7.67.
Kaul’s journey in cricket began at a young age, breaking into first-class cricket with Punjab at only 17 years old. He gained significant attention in 2008 when he was a member of the victorious Indian team in the Under-19 World Cup held in Malaysia. However, his progress was hindered by a series of back injuries, which sidelined him for over five years. The period from December 2007 to February 2012 saw him play only six domestic matches across various formats. Upon returning to the game, he was part of a new, emerging group of fast bowlers in Punjab, which included notable names such as Manpreet Gony, Sandeep Sharma, and Barinder Sran.
Earlier this year, Kaul represented Northamptonshire in three County Championship matches, an experience that showcased his continued relevance in competitive cricket. Throughout his domestic career, Kaul has exhibited remarkable wicket-taking capabilities and adeptness in death-bowling situations, which solidified his place as a crucial figure in Punjab’s white-ball format setups. Notably, he stands as the all-time highest wicket-taker in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 155 wickets, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he has taken 120 wickets.
The pinnacle of Kaul’s cricketing career came in 2018 when he earned a T20 International cap during India’s tour of Ireland. His path to national recognition was paved by his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), particularly with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he consistently ranked among the leading wicket-takers. During the 2017 IPL season, he claimed 16 wickets in ten games, and in 2018, he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker for SRH, achieving 21 wickets as the team finished as runners-up to Chennai Super Kings.
In his IPL career, Kaul has donned the jerseys of several franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, contributing to his extensive experience in the premier T20 league of India.
Looking forward, Kaul is not entirely closing the door on his playing career, expressing interest in exploring opportunities abroad. He has stated a belief that he still possesses the potential for 3 to 4 years of competitive cricket. He indicated a desire to retire at a high point, emphasizing that maintaining peak fitness and performance was crucial to his decision. Kaul reflects positively on his performance trajectory over the last decade and views this moment as a fitting conclusion to his time in Indian cricket.
As he considers future avenues, Kaul has mentioned a willingness to explore a variety of opportunities, such as county cricket, the Legends League, and other leagues where he may continue to showcase his talents. His extensive experience and proven track record will undoubtedly attract interest from various clubs and franchises, as he transitions from a remarkable Indian cricket career to new challenges abroad. With a legacy of notable achievements, Siddarth Kaul has carved a place for himself in the annals of Indian cricket history and leaves behind a significant impact on the game at both domestic and international levels.
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