Veteran pacer L Balaji retires from first-class cricket

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Chennai, Sep 15: Veteran pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji announced his retirement from First-class cricket on Wednesday (September 14).

The 34-year-old pacer from Tamil Nadu has played 30 One Day International matches and eight Tests for India.

His career was often marred by career-threatening injuries which posed a major hurdle in his come back into the Indian side again.

Despite short career, the right-arm medium-pacer had his moments in the international cricket and earned laurels for his performances. He was one of the most popular Indian cricketer during India's tour to Pakistan in 2004.

He was a youngster then but managed to leave his mark in the Test as well as ODI series in Pakistan. His lethal bowling in the third Test in Rawalpindi, where he bagged seven wickets as India sealed the historic series, is still afresh in Indian cricket enthusiasts' minds.

Talking about his retirement decision Balaji was quoted by The Hindu as saying, "I have to move on, have a young family now. I have given it all during my 16 years as a first class cricketer. I will be playing in the shorter forms of the game in competitions such as the TNPL and IPL."

In the IPL, Balaji has played for Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.

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