Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has announced he will be retiring from all forms of cricket next month.
The 40-year-old, who retired from one-day internationals last December, intends to play in the two Test matches against West Indies next month before calling it a day.
Tendulkar, who made his international debut as a 16-year-old, making
198 Test appearances and scoring 15,837 runs, says he finds it hard to imagine life not playing cricket but the timing is right.
He said in a statement: “It’s been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world. I look forward to playing my 200th Test match on home soil, as I call it a day.”
Tendulkar added: “All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years. It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old.
“I thank the BCCI for everything over the years and for permitting me to move on when my heart feels it’s time! I thank my family for their patience and understanding.
“Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have given me the strength to go out and perform at my best.”
Speculation over the future of Tendulkar has been rumbling on for some time as he has failed to register a century in the last 21 Test matches, but that should not detract from what has been an unbelievable career.
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