Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has announced his decision to retire from red-ball cricket following the conclusion of Jharkhand’s ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture against Rajasthan. The 34-year-old expressed that his body no longer permits him to sustain the demands of fast bowling in longer formats, prompting his retirement from red-ball cricket.
Aaron, known for his express pace, reflected on his journey in red-ball cricket, acknowledging the toll it has taken on his body over the years. He stated, “I have been playing red-ball cricket since 2008. Since I bowled fast, I picked up a number of injuries. I understand now that my body won’t allow me to continue bowling fast in red-ball cricket, so I have decided to quit.”
Despite bidding adieu to red-ball cricket, Aaron will continue to feature in white-ball cricket for the time being. He intends to evaluate his future in those formats ahead of the next domestic season. The ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan marks the conclusion of Jharkhand’s campaign in the tournament, as they are no longer in contention for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Aaron’s international career spanned nine Tests and nine ODIs for India, during which he showcased his ability to bowl at high speeds. However, persistent injuries, including stress fractures, hampered his progress at the highest level. Despite the setbacks, Aaron remains passionate about pace bowling and aims to contribute to the development of young fast bowlers in India.
As part of the ‘Pace bowler talent hunt’ project at the MRF Pace Foundation, Aaron will be involved in scouting and training young fast bowlers from across the country. With approximately 1500 participants in the talent hunt, Aaron hopes to identify and nurture the next generation of fast bowlers who can serve Indian cricket in the years to come.