Varun Aaron, renowned for his express pace and once considered among India’s fastest bowlers, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket. The 35-year-old pacer made this declaration following Jharkhand’s exit from the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Aaron’s cricketing journey began with significant promise. A product of the MRF Pace Foundation, he made his first-class debut for Jharkhand in the 2008–09 Ranji Trophy season. His ability to consistently bowl at high speeds quickly caught the attention of selectors and fans alike. In the 2010–11 Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Gujarat, Aaron clocked a delivery at 153.4 km/h, underscoring his raw pace and potential.
His impressive domestic performances earned him a spot in the India Emerging Players squad that toured Australia in 2011. Subsequently, he received a call-up to the Indian national team, making his One Day International (ODI) debut in October 2011, followed by his Test debut a month later. Over his international career, Aaron represented India in nine Tests and nine ODIs, claiming 18 and 11 wickets respectively.
Throughout his career, Aaron faced multiple injury setbacks, particularly stress fractures, which limited his appearances and impacted his consistency. Despite these challenges, he remained a prominent figure in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, he played for several IPL franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans.
In February 2024, Aaron had announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, citing physical constraints that hindered his ability to bowl at express pace in the longer format. He concluded his first-class career with 173 wickets at an average of 33.27.
Announcing his complete retirement, Aaron expressed gratitude towards those who supported him throughout his career. He stated, “For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket.” He also acknowledged the role of the National Cricket Academy’s physios, trainers, and coaches in aiding his recoveries from multiple career-threatening injuries.