Latest news with #GujaratCricketAssociation
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Inspired by Ricky Ponting, MSD-like farewell: India's 'almost there' player Priyank Panchal
New Delhi: Gujarat batter 's decision to retire at 35 caught the cricket fraternity by surprise, including the state team's captain Chintan Gaja and other teammates. "I got to know about Panchal's retirement after he revealed it on Instagram," said Gaja. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gujarat opener Aarya Desai similarly learnt about the decision on Instagram, admitting that the call left him surprised. "Nobody knew. We had no indication before he sent an email to the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) on the previous day in the evening. There was a sense of expectation that Panchal would play his 100th Ranji Trophy match in the upcoming season," said Gujarat Selection Committee chairman Kirat Damani during an exclusive interaction with Panchal took a leaf out of MS Dhoni's playbook, keeping his decision under wraps till the end with a quiet and unexpected announcement. The Gujarat batter bows out of the game with an impressive tally of 6,992 runs in 99 Ranji Trophy matches. Panchal finishes as the state's second-highest run-getter, scoring just 19 runs less than Parthiv Patel's tally of 7,011 runs. The 35-year-old accumulated 8,856 runs in 127 first-class matches, slamming 29 hundreds and 34 fifties, with an unbeaten 314 marking his highest score. However, even this mammoth tally of runs failed to earn Panchal a Team India debut, with the cricketer ending his career as an 'almost there' player. The batter smashed 1,310 runs during the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy season, helping Gujarat win the tournament. Panchal's performances resulted in his selection for India-A squads on multiple occasions, emerging as an impressive captain. The 35-year-old first got an opportunity with the Indian team after being picked for an away Test series against South Africa in 2021-22. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Panchal was also selected for a Test series against Sri Lanka in February 2022. However, the batter didn't get a chance to feature in the lineup. It was in such tough situations that Panchal, who idolises Rahul Dravid and draws inspiration from Ricky Ponting, showcased his character. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain "An anecdote I recall showcasing his mentality was when Panchal missed out on a chance to replace Cheteshwar Pujara in an away series against England, due to an injury. I thought he'd be extremely gutted. Panchal said, ''I've worked very hard. If I was destined to get that chance, I would've got it'. His maturity and grit astonished me," said Damani. "The one thing that stood out very early was his ability to learn from seniors and eagerness to improve. Panchal would show up season after season with thorough professionalism without letting the disappointment of non-selection for the Indian team affect his mentality," added Damani. Poll Should Priyank Panchal have been given a chance to represent Team India? Absolutely Maybe, but he had his chances No, he wasn't consistent enough Panchal faced questions regarding his capabilities during the 2024/25 edition of the Ranji Trophy, which marked his last tournament. The cricketer was under pressure before the team's semi-final against Kerala, considering his lack of big runs. "He was unable to convert starts. However, we were confident of his capabilities," said Gaja. Kerala scored 457 in their first innings, tiring out the Gujarat fielders by making them field for over two and a half days. Gujarat needed to cross Kerala's run tally in a game set to be decided based on the first-innings lead. Desai and Panchal stitched a 131-run partnership, putting the opposition under pressure. "We were very tired after fielding for two and a half days. Priyank told me to keep attacking. He even cautioned me when he felt I was being too casual, urging me to not lose focus," said Desai. Panchal maintained the intensity following his fellow opener's dismissal, scoring with intent. The batter let out a roar after scoring a century, leaving teammates and friends stunned, considering his quiet nature. The Gujarat cricketer continued to fight despite an injury on his left index finger. "The top hand plays a dominant role. Fingers on the left-hand are always vital for a right-handed batter," said Panchal. Ex-Gujarat cricketer Dhruv Raval said he's never seen his former teammate celebrate in such an aggressive manner. "It was very unexpected. It is extremely unfortunate that one of India's best domestic players failed to represent the nation," he added. "Priyank was very determined to help Gujarat reach the final. His celebration showed that there was a lot going on inside," stated Gaja. Panchal was eventually dismissed for 148, bowing out of the game on an astounding note. While the cricketer emerged as a solid run-scorer, he was also the ultimate teamman. "Panchal guided me a lot with technical issues, motivating me during my initial matches. His discipline is top-notch. I will certainly remember him for that," said Gujarat all-rounder Jaymeet Patel.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Priyank Panchal retires from all forms of cricket
AHMEDABAD: , who captained India 'A' and played a key role in Gujarat's maiden title-winning campaign in 2016-17, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday. His decision was conveyed by the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Panchal's last match was the Ranji Trophy semifinal against Kerala, in which the visitors edged Gujarat dramatically by virtue of a two-run first-innings lead. Panchal smashed a superb 148 in that match. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Panchal played 127 first-class matches, including 99 Ranji Trophy Matches for Gujarat. He scored 8,856 runs with 29 hundred and 34 fifties, with an unbeaten 314 being his highest. The 35-year-old finishes as Gujarat's second-highest run-getter in first-class cricket, just 19 runs short of Parthiv Patel's 7011 runs. He was selected for the three-match Test series against South Africa in Dec 2021 as a replacement for the then-injured Rohit Sharma and was also part of the squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Feb 2022. This was the closest the 35-year-old came to playing for India. The selectors were impressed with his 96-run knock in the first innings against a South Africa 'A' side in Bloemfontein. More Than a Team: The Rise of CSK & the Whistle Podu Army Former Gujarat Ranji coach Hitesh Majmudar, who was with the squad when Panchal made his debut, told TOI, 'He was unfortunate to not play for India. He did remarkably well when Gujarat won the Ranji Trophy in 2016-17, and also in the domestic T20 competition in 2013-14. He was the backbone of Gujarat batting.'
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Priyank Panchal announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Gujarat's former captain Priyank Panchal, who has also led India A in the past and featured in the senior squad, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, the Gujarat Cricket Association said on Monday (May 26, 2025). The 35-year-old Panchal played 127 First-Class games and amassed 8,856 runs at 45.18 with 29 centuries and 34 fifties. The right-handed opening batter also played 97 List A matches, scoring 3,672 runs at 40.80 with eight tons and 21 fifties while in 59 T20s, he made 1,522 runs at 28.71 with nine half-centuries. "Gujarat Cricket Association congratulates Mr Priyank Panchal on a fantastic career. The batter has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket on Sunday May 26, 2025," GCA secretary Anil Patel said in a statement. "A right-handed batter, Priyank has donned the national colours for India A as a captain. He was prolific run scorer as an opening batter represented Gujarat CA in the domestic circuit for more then 17 years." Panchal has been a part of the Indian Test team on a couple of occasions, including being called as a replacement for an injured Rohit Sharma. In the home Test series against England in 2021, Panchal was named among reserve openers alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran. Panchal had a breakthrough year in 2016-17 in the Ranji Trophy when he scored 1,310 runs with a highest individual score of 314 not out. It was a season in which Gujarat won the premier domestic competition. He was also a pat of the title-winning Gujarat teams in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015-16 and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Former Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal announces retirement from all cricket
New Delhi, [India], May 26 (ANI): Former India A and Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. 'Over and out. Onto greener pastures now,' the former Gujarat skipper wrote in a post on X. Gujarat Cricket Association congratulates the veteran batter, posting on X, 'Gujarat Cricket Association congratulates Priyank Panchal on a stellar cricketing journey as he announces retirement from all formats on May 26, 2025. A prolific right-handed opener, Priyank scored 8856 First-Class runs with 29 centuries & 34 fifties, including a majestic 314*. He led Gujarat to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2016-17, also lifting the Vijay Hazare Trophy (2015-16) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2012-13 & 2013-14). He captained India A and Gujarat across all formats with grit and pride. We salute his dedication and legacy. Wishing him success ahead.' The 35-year-old finishes as Gujarat's second-highest run-getter in first-class cricket, 19 short of Parthiv Patel's tally of 7011 runs. The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season was his last, in which he made two centuries, with a best of 148 against Kerala in the semi-final, in what turned out to be his last innings. Panchal leaves with 23 centuries, the most by a Gujarat player, during his first-class career, which spanned 127 matches and 8856 runs. He also featured in 97 List A games and 59 T20S. Gujarati batter Panchal played his last first-class game in the Ranji Trophy last season against Kerala. Gujarat lost the match based on Kerala's first-inning lead. Panchal scored 148 runs in his last first-class match against Kerala. He eaves with the distinction of being part of the winning squads of all domestic tournaments - Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2014-15), Vijay Hazare Trophy (2015-16) and Ranji Trophy (2016-17). (ANI)
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Former Gujarat and India A captain Priyank Panchal retires from all forms of cricket
Former Gujarat and India A captain Priyank Panchal announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday, the Gujarat Cricket The 35-year-old spent over 17 years in the domestic circuit, scoring 8856 in First Class cricket, including 29 centuries and 34 fifties. 'I, Priyank Panchal, announce my retirement from first-class cricket with immediate effect. It's an emotional moment. It's an enriching moment, and it's a moment which fills me with a lot of gratitude.' Panchal led Gujarat to its maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2016-17, also lifting the Vijay Hazare Trophy (2015-16) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2012-13 & 2013-14). His last match was the Ranji Trophy semifinal, where he scored 148 for Gujarat in a drawn game, one that saw opponent Kerala progress to the final. 'End of an Era! Gujarat Cricket Association congratulates Priyank Panchal on a stellar cricketing journey as he announces retirement from all formats on May 26, 2025,' the Gujarat Cricket Association wrote on X. 'He captained India A and Gujarat across all formats with grit and pride. We salute his dedication and legacy. Wishing him success ahead!'
