Saurashish Lahiri announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after being with the Bengal Ranji team for 17 long years. The 34-year-old off-spinner who played 100 First Class matches after making his debut in 1999-00 season, said he was contended with his achievements and would now like to give back what he got from a prolonged career by switching to coaching.
Lahiri, who was given an elaborate valedictory send-off by the Cricket Association of Bengal, said he was asked to reconsider his decision by the CAB president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly.
“When I first conveyed my decision to ‘Dadi’ (Ganguly), he asked me to give it a rethink. But when I came back to him with an unchanged mind, he assured me of a proper send-off. I am really overwhelmed to see all my teammates, officials, friends and family members on my side today,” Lahiri said in his farewell address.
The player was joined by Ganguly, CAB treasurer Biswaroop Dey, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwari and the former captain-turned-politician Laxmi Ratan Shukla in the function.
“As I look back, I find it a long journey having started as a young under-13 cricketer. I fondly remember making the senior team debut for Bengal in Jamshedpur as a U-19 player,” Lahiri said.
Lahiri turned nostalgic and said that dismissing Sachin Tendulkar three times were some of the greatest moments in his playing career.
“I remember dismissing him (Tendulkar) in both the innings of the Ranji Super League final in 2006-07 season, and I got him out once in a Challenger Trophy match,” Lahiri said.
The doughty off-spinner, who had cemented his place with consistent performance over the years, claimed 256 wickets in his First-Class career with the best being the seven for 62 against Tamil Nadu in January 2014.
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