Veteran Gujarat Batter Priyank Panchal Announces Retirement With An Emotional Instagram Post
Priyank Panchal, the former captain of Gujarat and India A, has officially announced his retirement from first-class cricket, bringing the curtains down on a remarkable domestic career. The 35-year-old, who was a consistent performer in the red-ball format, leaves behind an impressive legacy with nearly 9,000 first-class runs to his name.
Panchal was a cornerstone of Gujarat’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2016-17 season, where he piled up over 1,300 runs, a tally that remains among the highest ever in a single season of the prestigious tournament. His contributions helped Gujarat clinch their maiden Ranji title, a landmark moment in the state’s cricketing history.
In his final first-class appearance, a Ranji Trophy semifinal against Kerala, Panchal scored a gritty 148. Despite his valiant effort, Gujarat narrowly missed out on a place in the final, falling short of a first-innings lead by just two runs.
Over the course of his career, Panchal also played 97 List A matches, registering eight centuries, and featured in 59 T20 games, with his last match in the shortest format coming in October 2023. While he represented India A on multiple occasions and was part of several national camps, he never earned a senior India cap nor did he feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Taking to social media to announce his decision, Panchal reflected on the emotional journey of his career and the influence of his late father: “Growing up, everyone looks up to their father, idolises them, gets inspired, and tries to impress them. I was no different. My dad was a long-lasting source of strength for me. I was moved by the energy that he gave me, the way he encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to rise from a relatively small city and dare to aspire to wear the India cap one day. He left us long ago, and it was a dream I carried with me for nearly two decades, season after season, until today. I, Priyank Panchal, announce my retirement from first-class cricket with immediate effect. It’s an emotional moment. It’s an enriching moment. And it’s a moment which fills me with a lot of gratitude.”
Though he never broke into the national team, Panchal’s contribution to Indian domestic cricket, especially Gujarat’s rise in the red-ball circuit, will be remembered with great respect.