Indian Batter Punam Raut Announces Retirement from All Forms of International Cricket

The Announcement: 37-year-old batter Punam Raut took to social media to announce her retirement from all formats of international cricket with immediate effect, concluding an international career spanning more than 12 years (2009–2021).
The Indian Express

International Career Stats: Across her career, Raut represented India in:

4 Tests: Scoring 264 runs at an average of 44.00, including a career-best 130 against South Africa. | 73 ODIs: Scoring 2,299 runs at an average of 34.83, featuring 3 centuries and 15 half-centuries. | 35 T20Is: Accumulating 719 runs with 4 half-centuries.

Career Highlights & Records:

She was an integral part of the Indian squad that finished as runners-up in the historic 2017 ICC Women's ODI World Cup, playing a key role in the final against England.

She holds the record for the highest opening partnership in women's ODIs, famously combining with Deepti Sharma for a 320-run stand against Ireland in 2017. Known for her exemplary sportsmanship, she notably walked off during her final Test match in 2021 against Australia after edging the ball, even though the on-field umpire gave her not out.

Gratitude and Next Steps: Raut expressed deep gratitude to the Board, fans, and the Mumbai Cricket Association for shaping her formative years, signaling that her next innings will focus on giving back to the sport.

"My sincere thanks to the Mumbai Cricket Association for believing in me during my formative years," she said. "The opportunities and guidance I received there laid the foundation of my cricketing journey."

Her last game for India was a drawn Test against Australia in Carrara in 2021, and finished with scores of 36 and 41*.