Varun Aaron retires from all representative cricket after Jharkhand were knocked out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Varun Aaron, the former India quick bowler, has announced his retirement from “representative cricket”.
After his team, Jharkhand, lost the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, Aaron, 35, who had resigned from red-ball cricket at the end of the 2023–24 Indian domestic season, has now completely stopped playing after taking three wickets at an average of 53.33 in four games.
“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,” Aaron wrote on Instagram. “As I bid farewell to a pursuit that has consumed me completely, I now look forward to savoring the smaller joys in life while staying deeply connected to the game that has given me everything. Fast Bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”
With speeds of up to 150 kph, Aaron made his debut as a true tearaway during the 2010–11 Vijay Hazare Trophy at the age of 21. However, bowling fast had its drawbacks, and during a career marred by injuries—most notably stress fractures of the back—he played nine Test matches and nine ODIs. The last of those was in November 2015, during a Test match against South Africa in Bengaluru, where he took one wicket in a match that was cut short by four days due to bad weather.
“Over the years, I’ve had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again, this was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy,” Aaron wrote.
He concludes with 88 List A matches, taking 141 wickets at an economy rate of 5.44 and average of 26.47, and 95 T20 matches, with 93 wickets at an economy rate of 8.53.
With the Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Gujarat Titans, Aaron participated in nine IPL seasons from 2011 to 2022. In his final season, he won the championship with the Titans. His individual contribution was minimal, though, as he had an economy rate of 10.40 and took two wickets in two games.