Piyush Chawla hangs his boots, ends 20-year long career with two world cups

Veteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket, closing the chapter on a two-decade-long career marked by iconic performances and key tournament wins. The 36-year-old cricketer was a part of India’s historic 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squads.

Chawla played three Tests, 25 ODIs, and seven T20Is for India, with his final international appearance coming in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Despite limited outings for the national team, his impact in the Indian Premier League was massive. He played 192 matches across four franchises—PBKS, KKR, CSK, and MI—picking up 192 wickets and hitting the winning runs for KKR in the 2014 IPL final.

The leggie had a strong domestic run as well, representing Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and amassing 446 first-class wickets in 137 matches. He played his final competitive games in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, hoping for one last IPL stint, which didn’t materialize after he went unsold in the 2025 auction.

In a heartfelt note, Chawla expressed gratitude to his mentors, family, and fans, saying, “Though I step away from the crease, cricket will always live with me.” As he transitions to new roles off the field, the cricketing world bids farewell to a quiet yet impactful contributor to Indian cricket.