Maharashtra’s Samad Fallah calls it a day from professional cricket

Former Maharashtra left-arm pacer Samad Fallah, who last played a domestic game in 2021, has decided to hang up his boots from professional cricket after not getting a chance to represent the state for three years. The 39-year-old has played 78 first-class games, 50 List A games, and 58 T20 games in his professional career. 

With 287 wickets in the longest format of the game, of which 272 came for Maharashtra, Fallah remained a devastating left-arm swing bowler of his time and was the highest-ever wicket-taker for the state. 

In 2020, Fallah decided to move his base to Uttarakhand in order to get more chances in the fag end of his career, but he wasn’t picked in the side following his 2021 stint. He moved back to Maharashtra for more opportunities, but it was hard to come by. 

“Retirement is not an easy word.. but had accepted it a couple of years back.. announcing it is formality… from not playing any age group to taking a fiver on debut and becoming the highest wicket-taker in Ranji trophy for my Maharashtra,” Fallah wrote a note on his Instagram.

“This state has given me my identity.. winning Mushtaq Ali trophy finals by taking 4-fer to taking ten-fer in semi-finals of Ranji trophy.. Thank you MCA for trusting me.. I gave my all and am so happy I have played most of the BCCI finals for Maharashtra.. and will still be with my MCA till I win the trophies for my state.. I say goodbye to my bowling which is the most amazing gift I had.. thank you all.”

Between 2007 and 2014, Fallah distinguished himself by taking at least 20 wickets in every season and was the lynchpin of the attack under Rohit Motwani. Often made fun of for his inability to bat for his life, Fallah was a superb swing bowler who could make any Indian batter dance to his tunes. 

Alongside Anupam Sanklecha, Domnic Muthuswami, and Shrikant Mundhe, Fallah helped Maharashtra rise through the ranks that later saw the likes of Kedar Jadhav, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ankit Bawne make progress in their respective journeys. 

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