Ignored by Selectors; Veteran Indian pacer announces shocking retirement from international cricket just ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Varun Aaron made his debut for Team India in 2011 and has taken 29 wickets in 18 international matches for the country.

Over the years, India have produced some great bowlers, but an Indian pacer with an ability to clock 150 km/h or more is very rare. That is how Varun Aaron made his headlines when he touched 153 km/h in a final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2010-11 against Gujarat.

That made everyone notice his talent. Aaron has been blessed with extra pace and his ability to nip the ball. But with not much hope of playing cricket for the country, the 35-year-old has decided to put curtains on his career.

On Friday, January 11, Varun Aaron shocked everyone when he announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket. He revealed his decision with an emotional post on his official Instagram handle and showed his gratitude and thanked everyone that was part of his journey on and off the field.

Varon Aaron announces his retirement from all forms of cricket.

India have always been a country that has produced world-class spinners. But a pacer with the ability to bowl quickly has been very difficult to find. However, Varun Aaron, who hails from Jharkhand, was from a rare breed of Indian fast bowlers who used to bowl with rare pace. His career was shaped when he joined the MRF Pace Academy at the age of 15.

He has also represented India at the highest level and played nine tests and nine ODIs for the country. However, frequent injuries and inconsistency cut short his cricket career for Team India. Aaron made his Test debut in 2011 and played his first ODI in the same year. He took 18 wickets in tests and 11 in ODIs at the highest level.

He also played in the IPL between 2011 and 2022, representing five different franchises. Aaron was the regular member of his state team, Jharkhand. However, he already announced his retirement from first-class cricket in 2024. 

In his retirement post, Aaron mentioned, "For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket.” The pacer played 66 FC games and took 173 wickets while he took 141 wickets in 88 List A matches.

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