India's Vanitha announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Vanitha, who made her international debut against Sri Lanka in January 2014, represented India in six ODIs and 16 T20Is between 2014 and 2016, and scored a total 301 runs.
Vanitha announced her retirement with a statement on social media. "19 years ago, when I started playing, I was just a little girl who loved sport. Even to this day, my love for cricket remains the same. What's changing is direction. My heart says continue playing, my body says stop and I have decided to listen to the latter. Time is ripe to hang my boots," she wrote.
"I hereby announce my retirement from all forms of cricket. It's been a journey of struggles, joy, heartbreak, learning and personal milestones. While there are a few regrets, I'm grateful for the opportunities I got, especially to represent India."
The highlight of Vanitha's international career came in 2016, when she represented India in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She made a mark with a 24-ball 38 against Bangladesh, although her form tailed off and she was dropped from the side for India's final group stage game.
She returned to the XI later that year in two T20Is against West Indies, but struggled to make a mark, in what turned out to be her last international appearance.
However, Vanitha continued to excel in the domestic circuit, and was instrumental as her Bengal side made the semi-finals of the Women's Senior One-Day Trophy in 2020/21.
In her statement, Vanitha thanked many who played a part in her playing career, including India veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. “Dilip Anna who is more my brother than my own helping with cricket and life. Gargi Maam for opening new horizons to me, Jhulan for encouraging me from time to time and Mithali, she will always be my skipper! I look up to her, both on and off the field. Her humility, grace and respect for everyone are life lessons."
Vanitha's statement suggested she would continue being involved with cricket. “Cricket has given me everything, friendships, joys, identity and memories that I will cherish forever. The next chapter of my life I would like to dedicate to grooming young talents in Cricket. This is not the end but a beginning of a new challenge. Au revoir!”