Piyush Chawla retirement: India's two-time World Cup winner retires from all formats, says 'time has come to bid adieu'

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jun 06, 2025, 22:41 IST

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Piyush Chawla, the veteran leg-spinner, has retired after two decades in Indian cricket. He represented India in both the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cups. Chawla thanks his family, IPL teams, and fans for their support. He played for Uttar Pradesh and various IPL franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders.

Piyush Chawla retirement: India's two-time World Cup winner retires from all formats, says 'time has come to bid adieu'

Piyush Chawla (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: After over two decades of dedicated service to Indian cricket, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has officially announced his retirement from all forms of the game. A veteran of the sport, Chawla’s journey has been marked by early promise, notable comebacks, and contributions to India’s most iconic cricketing triumphs: the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

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Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Chawla’s statement on Friday reflected deep gratitude and emotion, as he thanked his family, IPL franchises, and fans.

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What do you think was Piyush Chawla's most significant achievement in his cricketing career?

Winning the 2007 ICC T20 World CupWinning the 2011 ODI World Cup

He credited his late father for being the guiding force behind his career, saying his support laid the foundation for a path that saw Chawla go from bowling out legends like Sachin Tendulkar at just 17, to delivering match-winning spells on the world stage.

Making his India debut as a teenager, Chawla impressed early on with a clever mix of googlies and quicker deliveries. He played three Tests, 25 ODIs, and seven T20Is for India, with career-best figures of 4/23 in ODIs. His international appearances might have been limited, but his impact in domestic and franchise cricket was immense. With 446 first-class wickets and 319 T20 wickets, Chawla remained a consistent performer for Uttar Pradesh and various IPL teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders, where he won the title in 2012 and 2014.

The IPL, in particular, was a significant chapter in his career, and Chawla leaves as one of the league's highest wicket-taking spinners. Known for his ability to deliver under pressure, he played key roles in several title-winning campaigns across different franchises.

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