Rumeli Dhar: India’s all-rounder who helped them beat Australia in the 2005 World Cup final in South Africa.
Rumeli Dhar has played in 100 games for India outside of India. India seam bowler and all-rounder Rumeli Dhar has said that she is retiring from international cricket at the age of 38.
India’s all-rounder, Rumeli Dhar international career
Dhar’s last international match was in 2018 at Brabourne. It was part of a T20I series between India, Australia, and England. In total, she played in four Tests, 78 ODIs, and 18 T20Is. In those games, she scored 1328 runs and took 84 wickets. She was also on the India team that lost to Australia by 98 runs in the 2005 World Cup final in South Africa. She also had six wickets in four games for India at the 2009 T20 World Cup in England, which was tied for the most by any player.
Dhar wrote on Instagram, “My 23-year cricket career, which began in Shyamnagar, West Bengal, has finally come to an end. I am retiring from all types of cricket”.
According to Rumeli Dhar:
“The trip has been long and has had both highs and lows. The high was playing for the Indian Women’s Cricket Team in the 2005 World Cup final and being the leader of the Women in Blue. My career has been hampered by a series of injuries, but I always come back stronger to make it count. As I say goodbye to a sport I’ve always loved, I’d like to thank my family, the BCCI, my friends, and the teams I played for (Bengal, Railways, Air India, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Assam) for having faith in me and giving me the chance to play for them. They made it easier for me to join the India team”.
“Every game I played in this long career taught me something I can use in my second innings. As with all journeys, mine as a cricket player will end today, but I promise to stay connected to the sport and help develop young talent in the country, giving back to the game in any way I can”.
Dhar made her international debut in 2003 against England
“Thanking everyone who has been there for me through all my ups and downs, everyone who has loved me, my game, pushed me when I needed it most, cheered for me when I was at my worst, laughed with me, and scolded me when I needed it. I owe everything I am today to each of you ” Today, I can’t find the right words to describe how I’m feeling. I just want to thank everyone for being there for me and showing me so much love over the years”.
Dhar made her international debut in 2003 against England in Lincoln. In February 2018, at the age of 34. She was called up to India’s T20 squad for their tour of South Africa. This was a strange way for her to return to the team.