Mumbai cricket: Abhishek Nayar retires from first-class cricket

Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar, who has been a key part of the Mumbai team for years now, has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. 

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Nayar mentored players like Dinesh Karthik, Shreyas Iyer and Unmukt Chand. Nayar played three ODIs for India under the leadership of MS Dhoni but could not score a run or pick up a wicket. He could not make a cut to the team after that.

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Here is a look at Nayar's tweet:

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The 36-year old played his first Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai in 2005 and went on to represent for 99 matches before being dropped during the 2017-18 season. He then played for Puducherry in four matches. Nayar scored 5749 runs in 103 first-class matches with 13 centuries, 32 fifties to his name. His highest score was 259. He took 173 wickets at an average of 31.47, with six five-wicket hauls.

I have no regrets: Nayar

Nayar said that he had no regrets in his career, not even the fact that he couldn't play his 100th first-class game for Mumbai. After all, how many players get to play 99 games for Mumbai?  He said that he was lucky that he played 99 matches. Not playing that one game doesn't change the way he looks at the 99 games he played for Mumbai. He was extremely happy and content with his career, and Mumbai cricket will always have a special place close to his heart. He said he knew what it takes to be a part of that dressing room. He made good friends in his game, and played with all his heart and will, he concluded. 

He said he was happy to have smoothly made the transition from being a player to being a coach. Mentoring and helping cricketers were something that he enjoyed doing, and will keep doing till he is alive. Nayar is currently the head coach and mentor of the KKR Academy in Bengaluru and the assistant coach to Brendon McCullum at KKR.

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