Punam Raut Calls Time on International Career

Punam Raut, the India top-order batter whose career spanned a transformative era in women’s cricket, has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect. Raut, who turned 37 on Wednesday, played four Tests, 73 ODIs and 35 T20Is for India between 2009 and 2021.

“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket in all formats of the game,” Raut said in a post on Instagram. “Representing India has been the greatest honour of my life. Cricket has been more than just a sport – it has shaped my character, taught me resilience, and given me memories that I will cherish forever. Every time I wore the India jersey, I did so with immense pride and gratitude. Wearing the India jersey was a dream that became a reality, and I will always be grateful for the trust and support I received.”

Raut was most prolific in the 50-over format, scoring 2299 runs at an average of 34.83 with three centuries and 15 half-centuries. She featured in three ODI World Cups – 2009, 2013 and 2017 – a run that included a century against Australia in the league stage of the 2017 edition. In the final of that same tournament against England, she top-scored with 86, an innings that nearly carried India to a historic title.

“The 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will always remain one of the defining moments of my career,” Raut wrote. “Although we felt just short of the trophy, that tournament transformed women’s cricket in India, inspired a generation of young girls, and changed the future of our game.”

Among her most notable achievements was a record opening stand of 320 with Deepti Sharma against Ireland in an ODI at Potchefstroom in 2017. Raut retired hurt on 109 from 116 balls, while Deepti went on to make 188 from 160.

Her Test career began with a duck but she responded with a century in only her third match, making 130 against South Africa in Mysore in 2014. In T20Is, she scored 719 runs at an average of 27.65 and a strike rate of 92.17, with four half-centuries across four T20 World Cups – 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Her contributions included a match-winning unbeaten 54 against Pakistan in 2009 and a 56 from 52 balls against West Indies in 2014.

Raut also acknowledged the role of her domestic team in shaping her career. “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.”

She played her last game for India in a drawn Test against Australia in Carrara in 2021, finishing with scores of 36 and 41 not out.

                                               

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