Ashoke Dinda announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Veteran India and Bengal pacer Ashoke Dinda brought curtains down on his 15-year-long career as he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old had featured in 13 ODIs and nine T20Is for India and he had moves to Goa at the beginning of the season as he faced disciplinary action after playing just one match during the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season.

After he moved to Goa, he played in three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches before realizing that his body couldn’t take the toll of the Sport anymore.

“Today, I am retiring from all formats of cricket. I have sent the mails to BCCI and GCA to this effect,” Dinda said during an interaction with the media at Eden Gardens.

Dinda played a total of 78 IPL games for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Pune Warriors, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He registered a total of 68 wickets in the league’s history at a strike-rate of 22.20 and had best figures of 4/18 to his name as well.

He also thanked former India skipper Sourav Ganguly for believing in him when nobody did.

“There have been several people who have helped me throughout my career whom I would like to thank beginning with my parents.

“Then it’s Dada (Sourav Ganguly). It was because of him that I got to play for Bengal. I was not in the squad but he included me as a 16th member and handed me a debut,” Dinda said.

Dinda has been one of the most consistent pacers in domestic cricket. He has 420 first-class wickets to his name in 116 matches and he is only second in the list of most wickets for Bengal in Ranji Trophy history, behind Utpal Chatterjee.

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Avishek Dalmiya, secretary Snehashis Ganguly and joint secretary Debabrata Das were present at the media interaction and they presented Dinda with a Silver plaque and bouquet, along with thanking him for his contribution towards Bengal.

“The contribution of Dinda is enormous. He is one of the best fast bowlers we have produced. He will be remembered for his ability to take wickets and win matches, bowl long spells and his never-say-die spirit,” Dalmiya said.