Varun Aaron, the fiery speedster known for hitting speeds of over 150 kmph, has decided to hang up his boots. The 35-year-old speedster announced his retirement from all forms of representative cricket following Jharkhand's exit from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It is the end of a journey that has had many achievements, a fair share of injuries and full of unforgettable memories.
“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed and thrived on fast bowling. Today, it is with immense gratitude that I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket,” Aaron wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “Fast bowling has been my first love and even though I leave the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”
Bursting on stage with raw rhythm
Aaron first made waves in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy when his sheer pace made everyone sit up and take notice. At the time, a 21-year-old Aaron was tearing through the batting line-ups and regularly hitting speeds that very few Indian players could match.
But with great pace comes great danger. Injuries, particularly stress fractures in his back, became a recurring theme in Aaron's career. Despite those setbacks, he managed to play nine Tests and nine ODIs for INDIA. His last appearance came in a rain-affected Test South Africa in Bengaluru in 2015.
“I had to push my limits”
“Over the years, I've had to push my physical and mental limits to recover from multiple career-threatening injuries, rebounding time and time again,” Aaron shared in his farewell post. “This was only possible due to the relentless dedication of the physios, coaches and trainers at the National Cricket Academy.”
It's that consistency that made Aaron stand out. Every time he was knocked down, he found a way to get back up stronger.
IPL Journeys and Domestic Grind
Aaron's domestic career was solid, with 141 wickets in 88 List A matches at an impressive average of 26.47. In T20 cricket, Aaron finished with 93 wickets in 95 matches, although his economy rate of 8.53 was on the higher side – something he was often criticized for.
His IPL journey, however, was nothing short of a roller coaster. Over the years, Aaron played for numerous franchises including Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Titans of Gujarat. His biggest highlight came with Gujarat Titans in 2022 when the team won the IPL trophy in their debut season. While Aaron featured in just two matches that year, the title win was a memorable way to end his IPL career.
From MRF Pace Academy to Cricket Expert
Aaron's journey began at the famous MRF Pace Academy, which has produced some of India's best fast bowlers. He remained involved with the academy even after his playing days waned, mentoring young players.
In recent years, he has also made a name for himself as a cricket pundit, appearing on platforms such as ESPNcricinfo to share insights from his time in the game.
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