Veda Krishnamurthy Bids Farewell to Professional Cricket

New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Indian women's cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy has announced her retirement from professional cricket, stating her intention to remain involved with the sport in various capacities. Veda, whose career in international cricket included 48 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 76 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), scored 829 and 875 runs respectively in these formats.

"From a small-town girl with big dreams to wearing the India jersey with pride. Grateful for everything cricket gave me—the lessons, the people, and the memories. It's time to say goodbye to playing, but not to the game. Always for India. Always for the team," Veda expressed in her heartfelt social media post.

The 32-year-old player, married to former Karnataka cricketer Arjun Hoysala, last represented India in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup final against Australia held in Melbourne. Her final ODI match was played in 2018. Recalling her journey, Veda wrote, "A small-town girl with big dreams. That's how it all started in Kadur. I picked up a bat not knowing where it would take me, but I knew I loved the game. I never imagined it would take me this far—from narrow streets to the biggest stadiums, from quiet hopes to proudly wearing the Indian jersey."

Recognized for her powerful batting capabilities, Veda's last appearance in competitive cricket was for the Gujarat Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the Women's Premier League of the previous year. In her career, Veda not only captained Karnataka and Railways but also excelled as a fielder, holding the joint record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Women's T20I cricket.

However, Veda's career narrative is about more than just numbers; it is also about resilience and determination. She faced personal tragedies, losing her mother, Cheluvamaba Devi, and sister, Vatsala Shivakumar, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentioning her family in her farewell note, she wrote, "To my parents and siblings, especially my sister, thank you for being my first team and my constant strength. To my coaches, captains, and mentors, thank you for shaping me."

She expressed her gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the opportunity to represent the nation, as well as to associations such as KSCA, Railways, and KIOC for facilitating her growth as a cricketer, adding, "To my teammates, you made every bit of this journey worth it. We've shared everything—wins, losses, and laughs that will stay with me forever. You were never just teammates; you were family."

Having ventured into commentary, Veda highlighted the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup as a major highlight of her career. India’s near-victory in the final against England was a pivotal moment that enhanced the perception of women's cricket in the country. "And 2017... what a year to be part of a World Cup that changed how people saw women's cricket in India. I'll always be proud of that. Captaining Karnataka and Railways was an honour I'll always hold close. Those teams shaped me, challenged me, and gave me space to lead with heart. And India... nothing compares to the feeling of wearing that jersey. The anthem, the adrenaline, the pride—it lives in your bones forever," she concluded.