Published: Sep 16, 2016, 12:42 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 16, 2016, 02:08 PM (IST)
At the age of 34, Lakshmipathy Balaji called it quits from First-Class (FC) career. He made his FC debut in 2001/02 and soon was seen donning the Indian team jersey in Tests. He made his Test debut for India in October 2003 against New Zealand, where he scalped only one wicket of Robbie Hart in the first innings. He bowled very economically in the second innings but went wicketless. Balaji was picked in the next Test against New Zealand as well but did not take any wicket. He made his mark in the Indian Test side during India’s tour of Pakistan, where he picked 12 wickets from three Tests.
Out of eight Tests he played for India, six came against Pakistan. Looking at his overall Test career, he performed decently but injury kept hampering his progress at international level. Despite all those injuries, Balaji remains among the most iconic figures in Tamil Nadu cricket. And not to forget his famous smile, which earned him scores of fans. In his career of more than 15 years, he played 106 FC matches and grabbed 330 wickets at 26.10 with 16 five-fors and four 10-fors. Surely, his FC career looks much impressive as compared to his Test career. His retirement from the longer formats of the game was expected the moment he took the job of bowling coach for Tamil Nadu last year in September.
On the occasion of his retirement from FC cricket, the cricket fraternity congratulated Balaji for his journey and as always, the most special tweet was by none other than Virender Sehwag.
Har baat par Smile har koi nahi kar paata,but Laxmi ke Pati Balaji @Lbalaji55 ki Smile ka Jawaab nahi.
Feel proud BB pic.twitter.com/imuubUnaMA— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 15, 2016
Wonderful career Bala! @Lbalaji55 well done! Congratulations on your contributions to cricket! All the best for the future. — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 15, 2016
Congratulations @Lbalaji55 on your careerWishing you lots of success in your future endeavours — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 15, 2016
Congratulations @Lbalaji55 on a fantastic career and all the best for your future endeavors!! Fighter to the core
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) September 15, 2016
The best smile I have seen on a cricket field has decided to leave d field.Great career&some gr8memories @Lbalaji55 pic.twitter.com/oUDuC4I0dK
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 15, 2016
Slightly goofy, slightly unpredictable but always wholehearted. Wish you well in retirement, Balaji #Balajizaradheerechalo was hilarious! — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 15, 2016
When we first met during India A tour Balaji tried 2 teach me English n I was trying to teach him Hindi,he was successful at it but not me;) — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 15, 2016
My Best Wishes to Laxmipathi Balaji @Lbalaji55 for his future endeavours. An excellent sportsperson with talent, dedication and commitment.
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) September 16, 2016
My bowling partner on d other end of the pitch retiring from fc cricket but not letting u retire from our friendship pic.twitter.com/0EWl2B4jpM
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 15, 2016
Never played with @Lbalaji55 but as an opponent he always struck me as a being a great team man. All the best mate. https://t.co/pYQemFeVmS — Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) September 16, 2016
#TN cricket will miss a role model,inspiration and above all a humble human being…!! — subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 15, 2016
The best fast bowler #TN has produced ,previleged to have shared so much cricket with @Lbalaji55 over the years.
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) September 15, 2016
Ive been privileged to have playd with Bala from the start of his cricketing journey and ironically still playing for the same team in tnpl
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 16, 2016
Well done Bala on a wonderful career.He’s arguably the best fast bowler TamilNadu has ever had and a brilliant career for team India as well
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 16, 2016
@Lbalaji55 came from the rich tennis ball cricket culture in Madras.His story is an inspiration to all the aspiring gully cricketers.
TRENDING NOW
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) September 15, 2016
