India’s all-rounder Stuart Binny, who holds the record for the best bowling figures in ODI format, announced his retirement from first class and international cricket on Monday.
37-year-old Binny began his career in his state of Karnataka and represented India in six Tests, 14 ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals.
“I want to let you know that I have decided to retire from world class international cricket,” said Binny, whose father Roger also represented India, in a statement.
“It gives me great pleasure and pride to have represented my country at the highest international level.”
Despite not having many international runs under his belt, Binny posted exceptional bowling numbers against Bangladesh when he won six wickets for just four runs in an ODI in Dhaka in June 2014.
It remains the best bowling performance in the ODIs to date. He had surpassed the record of his compatriot Anil Kumble, who had also driven a six-wicket haul against the West Indies in 1993, but had conceded 12 runs.
As a handy all-rounder with experience from 95 first-class matches, the legendary skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried it out with reasonable success in several tests.
In his debut Test against England in July 2014, he scored 78 in his second innings and that remained his only fifty in his six Tests.
A 31 run-over in a T20 game against the West Indies in Florida effectively ended his international career when Evin Lewis hit him for five sixes. He was viciously trolled.
When the conflict of interest became a buzzword in Indian cricket, his father Roger had to leave his position on the selection committee.
With the advent of Hardik Pandya as an explosive all-rounder, Binny’s chances of a national comeback dwindled and he played a season of top-notch cricket in the Northeast.
He will be remembered as a player who hit beyond his weight and did his best according to his abilities. Binny thanked the BCCI, its various teams, teammates and coaches for the role he has played in his development as a cricketer.
