Sanjeev Sharma retires

Sanjeev Sharma, the former Indian medium pacer, has announced his retirement from competitive cricket. Sharma played 23 one-dayers for India in the late 80s and took 22 wickets, including a 5 for 26 against West Indies at Sharjah. However, he managed to play just two Tests despite making an impressive debut against New Zealand in 1988-89.

Sharma, 39, was reported by The Hindu as saying: "Not that I lacked the motivation to continue but I thought it was time to look ahead. I would love to see some youngsters take over."

He will always be remembered as the bowler who induced the edge of Graham Gooch's bat when he had scored just 33 in Lord's at 1990. Kiran More muffed the chance behind the stumps and Gooch added 300 more on his way to a massive 333. "I won't blame anyone," Sharma said, "but that became an unforgettable moment. I was never considered after that match even though I bowled well in the Texaco Trophy. I was very disappointed. My career would have been longer. But I lacked support from the team. I was lonely and felt neglected. In hindsight, I might have also done better if I had been mentally tougher."

Sharma played 89 first class matches for Delhi, Railways and Rajasthan. There was also a seven-year gap in between, when he played in the Dhaka league and later in the minor leagues in Ireland and England.

In the last four seasons he made a mark as a coach-cum-player for Rajasthan and said it was the most enjoyable phase of his career. Despite a one-day average of just 10, he managed three centuries for Rajasthan in that period. "I could do some justice to my potential as an all-rounder. My 6 for 16 against Bengal last year was my most memorable bowling. There was nothing in the pitch and Bengal was doing well at 75 for two. I got the ball to reverse swing."

Sharma also remembered the influence of Raman Lamba, the former Indian opener who tragically died while playing in a club game in Dhaka in 1998. "He was my idol, the best professional cricketer I ever met." Sadly Sharma was in the dressing-room when Lamba suffered the accident. "It was the most depressing moment of my life watching my mentor die." As a tribute to Lamba, Sharma plans to open an academy and for young cricketers.