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Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra has announced his retirement from professional cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career that stretched over 25 years.
Mishra made his international debut in 2003 during an ODI tri-series in Bangladesh, before earning his Test cap in 2008 against Australia at Mohali, where he marked the occasion with a memorable five-wicket haul. Over the years, he represented India in 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming 156 wickets across formats.
One of his finest moments came in 2013, when he equalled Javagal Srinath's world record by taking 18 wickets in a five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.
He also starred in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, capturing 10 wickets at an average of 14.70 to help India reach the final. His last international appearance came in 2017.
Mishra's impact in the Indian Premier League was equally significant. Across 162 matches, he collected 174 wickets at an average of 23.82 and an economy of 7.37, making him the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the competition's history.
Notably, he remains the only bowler to claim three IPL hat-tricks, each for a different franchise - Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. His final professional outing came in IPL 2024 with Lucknow Super Giants.
Citing recurring injuries and a desire to give opportunities to younger players, Mishra chose to step aside, leaving behind a legacy of guile, skill, and resilience.
"These 25 years of my life in cricket have been nothing short of memorable. I am deeply grateful to the BCCI, the administration, Haryana cricket association, the support staff, my colleagues, and to my family members who were with me all this while," said Mishra in a statement.
"I would like to thank the fans whose love and support whenever and wherever I played made the journey memorable.
"Cricket has given me countless memories and invaluable learnings, and each moment on the ground has been a memory I'll treasure for life."
