World Cup winner Piyush Chawla retires from all cricket

Former India leg spinner Piyush Chawla has officially retired from all cricket, bringing down the curtains on a 20-year professional career in which he represented India in 35 games.

"After more than two decades on the field, the time has come to bid adieu to the beautiful game. Today is a deeply emotional day for me as I officially announce my retirement from all forms of international and domestic cricket.

"Though I step away from the crease, cricket will always live within me. I now look forward to embarking on a new journey, carrying with me the spirit and lessons of this beautiful game."

Chawla made his first class debut as a 16-year-old in October 2005 and made rapid progress up through the ranks. By March of the following year, he'd won a Test cap when picked to play in Mohali against England, becoming the second-youngest man after Sachin Tendulkar to don the India whites. By then Chawla had already made waves on the domestic circuit, picking 35 wickets in his maiden first class campaign as the Mohammed Kaif-led Uttar Pradesh side won the 2005-06 Ranji Trophy title. He had also clean bowled Sachin Tendulkar with a googly in a Challenger Trophy match.

Chawla featured for India in all three formats (3 Tests, 25 ODIs, 7 T20Is) and was a member of the World Cup winning squads of 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI).

At the time of retirement, Chawla had 192 wickets from as many IPL games, tied with Sunil Narine for third spot in the list of the league's most prolific wicket takers. He represented Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, winning the 2014 title with KKR.