A career ends after more than a decade
Punam Raut, the Indian women's team top-order batter, announced on Thursday that she is retiring from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect. The 37-year-old represented India in four Tests, 73 One Day Internationals and 35 Twenty20 Internationals between 2009 and 2021. Her last appearance for the national side came in an ODI against England in June 2021.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
In a statement posted on her Instagram page, Raut said that representing India had been the greatest honour of her life and that cricket had shaped her character, taught her resilience and given her memories she would cherish forever. She added that she always wore the India jersey with immense pride and gratitude, and that wearing it had been a dream that became reality. She also expressed thanks to the Mumbai Cricket Association for believing in her during her formative years, saying the opportunities and guidance she received there laid the foundation of her cricketing journey.[S1]
Numbers and highlights from her international career
Raut scored 2,299 runs in 73 ODIs, 719 runs in 35 T20Is and 264 runs in four Tests. Her international career included four centuries — three in ODIs and one in a Test against South Africa in 2014 — along with 15 ODI half-centuries and four in T20Is.[S1]
One of her most memorable performances came during India's run to the 2017 Women's World Cup final. She scored 381 runs in the tournament, including 86 against England in the final at Lord's, which India lost by nine runs. During the same World Cup, she scored 109 against Ireland and shared a record 320-run opening partnership with Deepti Sharma. In 2021, Raut was part of India's historic pink-ball Test against Australia, where she scored 36 in the first innings and earned praise for walking off after edging a delivery despite being given not out.[S1]
