Shahbaz Nadeem retires from Indian professional cricket

Former Indian left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has called it a day from all formats of cricket in India, so as to look for opportunities to participate in T20 leagues around the world. Nadeem is considered one of the greatest bowlers in Indian domestic cricket, having taken 542 first-class wickets, including eight wickets for India in two Test matches. 

“Today, with immense gratitude and humility, I announce my retirement from Indian Cricket. My journey from 2002-2024 has been the most wonderful period of my life. From my humble beginnings for Bihar Under-19 to every kid’s dream playing for the Indian test team,” Nadeem wrote on Instagram.

“I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for India, Jharkhand Cricket Association, Dhanbad Cricket Association, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants.”

“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in a new and different environment. I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer, and I look forward to this new chapter in my life.”

Nadeem made his first-class debut back in 2004 against Kerala in Jamshedpur and remained a forever part of Jharkhad’s growth as a competent unit in domestic cricket. For two consecutive years in 2015-16 and 2016-17, he was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy, but his first call-up to the Indian squad came in 2019 when he made his Test debut against South Africa in his home town of Ranchi.

Not only that, Nadeem won the Player of the Match award in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final to help his side to their only domestic title to date. With his retirement from domestic cricket, Nadeem joins Saurabh Tiwary and Varun Aaron - his two long-standing mates - to bow out of Jharkhand cricket within a month, bringing the curtains down on a significant chapter in their cricket history.