India's 2008 U19 WC Winning Member Tanmay Srivastava Announces Retirement

India U-19 World Cup winning member Tanmay Srivastava has announced retirement from cricket. Srivastava, 30, was a part of the U-19 World winning squad which triumphed in 2008. The top-order batsman took to Twitter to announce his retirement and share his cricketing memories.

In a light-hearted message Srivastava wrote that he had some great memories both on and off the field. He also recalled how his father used to take him to the stadium and inspired him against all the odds. Srivastava, who averaged over 34 in First-Class cricket, thanked UPCA and Rajiv Shukla for their constant support.

Tanmay Srivastava retires: Full text on his call to bid adieu to cricket

I have had some very good memories on and off the field. As a child, when my father took me to the stadium, many a times I got injured and could not play. He always told me that there will be many moments like these in life when you will face a fall, they must not make you weak but motivate you to come back stronger.

I was an 11 year old when I joined the Green Park cricket hostel to focus on cricket, that was my only passion. At 13, I represented India U-15 and it was a dream come true when I wore the Indian jersey. Year 2008 was all about winning the U-19 World Cup, and memories about holding the National Flag proudly still makes me go weak in my knees. I consider myself lucky to have played alongside and shared the dressing room with the greats of Indian and International cricket and I am humbled at how, even today most of them are just a call away, sharing their experiences to help me learn.

UPCA has been my second home and I am very thankful to them for all the support they have given me over the last 18 years and are still continuing to do so. Shri. Rajiv Shukla ji has been a constant source of blessings and support for all these years. I also want to extend my thanks to CAU for giving me the opportunity to represent the state in the last season.

I would like to thank all the selectors, coaches, physios, trainers, management and support staff that have been a part of my cricket jouney. A heartfelt gratitude to all my friends for believing in me even when I was at my lowest. A special thanks to Mr.Paras Anand – SG for believing in me and truly standing by its motto of ‘believe. become’ and for supporting me with the best equipment throughout my career, irrespective of my ups and downs.

Throughout my career, my mom and dad have been my pillars of support and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. A special thanks to my family, extended family and friends who are family, for always being there for me. Last but not the least, a warm thank you to my wife Reetika, who has not only supported me through thick and thin but also given me the most blunt but right comments and advice that no one else could have.

I think I have made enough cricketing memories on and off the field to last me a lifetime. For all those who still feel, I should have not retired yet, well…

I have new dreams and bigger aspirations and now is the time to work towards them. Now is the time for The Next Chapter.

Srivastava featured in 34 T20s, 44 List A and 90 First-Class matches. He accumulated over 5000 runs in the domestic circuit.