Mongia bids adieu to cricket

Chandigarh, September 17

Former India international and Punjab cricketer Dinesh Mongia today announced retirement from all forms of the sport. 

The 42-year-old played 57 ODIs for India between March 2001 and May 2007 and scored 1,230 runs at an average of 27.95. He also took 14 wickets with 3/31 against Zimbabwe at Mohali in March 2002 being his best figures. 

The left-hander was also a part of the squad for 2003 World Cup in South Africa, where India finished runners-up after losing to Australia in the final at Johannesburg.  

The highlight of his small international career though was a match-winning 159 not out against Zimbabwe in the series decider at Guwahati in March 2002. 

“I last played domestic and international cricket for the season 2007-08. I am hereby announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket (domestic and international). I would like to thank my parental association PCA and BCCI for allowing me to play under their auspices and representing India at the highest level,” Mongia stated in a press release.   

The Chandigarh-born cricketer also played 121 First-Class matches after making his Punjab debut in 1995-96 and scored 8,028 runs, including 27 hundreds and 28 half-centuries, at an average of 48.95.

He also represented India in a T20I against South Africa in December 2006. 

Mongia’s career, however, was caught in controversy when he decided to play for Chandigarh Lions in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League in 2008. While BCCI later granted amnesty to all the players who participated in the league, Mongia could not make it to the Indian side after that and his last ODI match remains the one against Bangladesh on May 12, 2007. 

His last FC outing was against Hyderabad in January 2007. — TNS