Hrishikesh Kanitkar calls it quits from all forms

Retirements are emotional affairs. But, for Hrishikesh Kanitkar it was just a formality.

On Thursday afternoon, the former India cricketer, famous for hitting Saqlain Mushtaq for a winning boundary in the Independence Cup final in 1998 in Dhaka, announced his retirement from all forms of the game.

An all-rounder, Kanitkar, 40, played his last first-class game 18 months ago, turning up for Rajasthan before fitness issues forced him to take a break.

"I have been thinking about it for the past few months, but decided to announce it today (Thursday). It wasn't difficult at all (to retire). A few years back, it would have been impossible. I realised it along the way and felt like there is not enough motivation as it used to be earlier and money is not my objective," said Kanitkar, who is the third highest run scorer in Ranji Trophy with 8,000-plus runs.

Describing his two-decade-old career – first-class cricket for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, 34 ODIs and two Tests – Kanitkar said it was enjoyable. "I look at fond memories. It has been a good 19 years and most of it has been very positive and enjoyable. Yes, there is always ups and downs that have taught me many things. I am thankful and happy with the way my career has gone and what I have achieved. There were a few things I set out to achieve like playing a lot more international cricket. There are no regrets and am thankful with the way things have worked out," he said.

Kanitkar will always be remembered for the boundary that he hit off off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq that saw India beat Pakistan to win the Independence Cup. But the Pune-born said that he had many more favourite moments too.

"Of course, it is one of my favourite moments. Enormous, it was. But then getting selected for India was special. My Test debut, the man of the match award I won against Zimbabwe (35 & 2/37), my 57 against Australia. Apart from that, I was a part of the 11 when Sachin (Tendulkar) scored that back-to-back tons against Australia (Coca Cola Cup) in Sharjah. It was a great privilege to watch him. It comes in one of the great moments that I am proud to be a part of. Then, of course, the two Ranji Trophy titles that we won for Rajasthan," he added.

Kanitkar went nostalgic when asked about that moment when he hit Saqlain for a boundary on the penultimate ball of 48-over game. "(Javagal) Srinath and I were batting. He told me it's important that the ball that I faced, I make sure to connect it. I decided to watch the ball closely, rely on my instincts and went for it. It wasn't a predetermined shot. All that happened later was instinctive. It just happened. To capitalise on the hard work been put in by Sourav (Ganguly), Sachin and Robin (Singh) earlier was special."

Kanitkar is now ready for his new innings of life. "I will be looking to get coaching assignments for state Ranji teams. I have been a mentor-cum-captain for Rajasthan team. And then I would be interested in talking about the game as a commentator. Analysing it," Kanitkar said.

Know Kanitkar
Full Name: Hrishikesh Hemant Kanitkar
Born in Pune on November 14, 1974
Played for India, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
Was a left-handed middle-order batsman and a right arm off-spinner
Captained Rajasthan to two Ranji Trophy titles in 2010-11 & 2011-12
Is one of the three batsmen to have scored 8,000-plus runs in Ranji Trophy
Has scored 28 Ranji Trophy centuries being the joint third-highest in tournament's history

Stats
Format Mat Runs HS Ave 100 50s Wkts
Tests 2 74 45 18.50 - - -
ODIs 34 339 57 17.84 - 1 17
FC 146 10,400 290 52.26 33 46 74
List A 128 3,526 133 35.26 6 21 70

Ratra too hangs up his boots
Former India and Haryana wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra, too, on Thursday announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
Ratra represented India in six Tests and 12 ODIs, and was a consistent performer at the domestic level. He was a member of the Indian team that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2000.
"On behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), I congratulate both Hrishikesh and Ajay for memorable careers, and wish them all the best for the future," BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in a statement.
Ratra will be remembered for his unbeaten 115 against the West Indies in Antigua in 2001-02 that made him the youngest wicketkeeper-batsman to score a Test hundred.
"Both Hrishikesh and Ajay were hardworking cricketers and thorough professionals. I have no doubt that they will display the same qualities in their chosen vocations," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said.