The career of one of Indian cricket’s most passionate, spirited characters ended today when Javagal Srinath announced his retirement from the international game following a prolonged knee injury. Though his future plans are unclear, he hinted at setting up a bowling academy. ‘‘I have made an irrevocable decision,’’ Srinath, 34, told a press conference here. ‘‘I am completely done with first-class cricket.’’ ‘He was a team man’ • Tests: 67 • Wickets: 236 • Average: 30.49 • Best: 8-86 v Pakistan in Kolkata, 1999 • ODIs: 229 • Wickets: 315 • Average: 28.08 • Best: 5-23 v Bangladesh in Dhaka, 1998 Ganguly replied that the India team owed a debt of gratitude to the mild-mannered, undemonstrative fast bowler. ‘‘Srinath has served Indian cricket for a long time,’’ he said. ‘‘It is up to him to decide how his body is holding up.’’ What’s the next step? He said he hadn’t yet decided about future ventures. ‘‘I have just made this decision (on retirement) and I have no plans as of now. Somewhere down the line, I will seriously think of starting an academy for fast bowlers.’’ BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was also present, said, Srinath was set to begin his second innings — ‘‘as a coach, as a consultant, as a guide and continuing role-model for fast bowlers’’. He hoped that the bowler would come forward and guide Indian cricket. ‘‘A role for Srinath is being worked out.’’ Dalmiya said Srinath inspired bowlers to take up a career in fast bowling, adding, he was a role model for fast bowlers. ‘‘Indian cricket will always be grateful to Srinath,’’ he said. The mysore express • 6/21 vs South Africa Ahmedabad, Nov 1996 Srinath’s biggest moment. He picked up six for 21 on a dead fourth-innings wicket to win the match for India. Sachin Tendulkar, then the Indian captain, called his spell ‘‘one of the greatest exhibitions of fast bowling I have seen from an Indian’’ • 13/132 vs Pakistan Kolkata, feb 1999 With Pakistan in town, who’d bet that an Indian fast bowler would make news? But Srinath’s 5 for 46 and 8 for 86 in the Kolkata Test, which India still lost, silenced everyone. It was a fantastic display of consistently hostile fast bowling, sustained over long spells. • English County Season, 1995 Playing for Gloucestershire as the overseas pro, Srinath picked up 87 wickets at an average of 19.09. Gloucs won nothing, but Srinath and Anil Kumble emerged heroes. That English conditions suited him was proved again the following year when he picked up 11 wickets from three Tests. • 30 vs Australia Bangalore, oct 1996 A match-winning innings, 30 off 23 balls, that temporarily extended Tendulkar’s reign as captain. India were 8/164 in this Titan Cup match, chasing 216 when Srinath and statemate Anil Kumble (16) got together. Negotiating an attack comprising McGrath, Fleming and Gillespie. • World Cup 1999: 149.6 kmph Srinath, forever regarded as a fast medium bowler, conclusively proved that not only was he India’s fastest-ever, he was second only to Shoaib Akhtar in the world. Though bowling much slower than his tearaway days in the early 1990s, Srinath clocked 149.6kmph, while Akhtar did 154.5kmph. • World Cup 2003: 16 wickets After picking up 18 wickets in the seven-ODI series in New Zealand, Srinath appeared set for a last hurrah, and what better stage than the World Cup at South Africa. He bowled fast, accurately and with more variety. Sixteen wickets including a 4/35 against Sri Lanka at Johannesburg. (Shamya Dasgupta)
