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’s the end of a journey that has seen many highs, its fair share of injuries and many unforgettable memories.
“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed and thrived on the rush of 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 was my first love and even though I’m off the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”
Bursting onto the stage with a raw beat
Aaron first made waves in the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy when his blistering pace made everyone sit up and take notice. Back then, a 21-year-old Aaron was tearing up the lineups and regularly hitting speeds that few Indian bowlers could match.
But with great pace comes great danger. Injuries, especially stress fractures in his back, became a recurring theme in Aaron’s career. Despite these setbacks, he managed to play nine Tests and nine ODIs for India. His last appearance came in a rain-affected Test South Africa in Bangalore in 2015.
“I had to push my limits”
“Over the years, I’ve had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back again and again,” Aaron shared in his farewell post. “This was only possible because of the relentless dedication of the physios, coaches and trainers of the National Cricket Academy.”
It is this resilience that made Aaron stand out. Every time he was knocked down, he found a way to come back 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 at the highest level – something he was often criticized for.
His IPL journey, however, has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Over the years, Aaron played for several franchises including Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, KKR, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Gujarat Titans. His biggest highlight came with Gujarat Titans in 2022 when the team won the IPL trophy in their first season. While Aaron only featured in two games that year, winning the title was a memorable way to end his IPL career.
From MRF Pace Academy to Cricket Researcher
Aaron’s journey started from the famous MRF Pace Academy, which has produced some of India’s best fast bowlers. He remained associated with the academy even after his playing days slowed down, mentoring young pacers.
In recent years, he has also become known as a cricket pundit, appearing on platforms such as ESPNcricinfo to share insights from his time in the game.
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