Team India’s Pacer Varun Aaron has announced his retirement at the age of just 35. Varun has played 9 ODIs and 9 Test matches for India and was known for his deadly pace bowling. He also had a solid record in the Indian Premier League and has represented Jharkhand in domestic cricket. His last match for Jharkhand was against Goa on January 5 this year.
Varun made the announcement of his retirement from all formats of cricket through a post on Instagram on Friday. In his post, he wrote, “I have lived fast bowling for the last 20 years. Today, I officially announce my retirement from cricket. This journey would not have been possible for me without God, family, friends, fellow players, coaches, support staff, and fans. I thank BCCI and JSCA.
Varun’s Bowling Career Overview
The Jharkhand Speed star was known for his deadly fast bowling. He made his Test debut for India in November 2011, and his last Test match was in 2015. Varun debuted in ODIs in October 2011 and played his last ODI match in 2014. He took 18 wickets in 9 Test matches and 11 wickets in 9 ODIs for India.
Varun Aaron’s Absence from Team India
As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, the squad has yet to be announced. However, Varun Aaron has been out of the Indian team for quite some time. Despite this, he has consistently played in domestic matches. Varun has taken 141 wickets in 88 List-A matches and 173 wickets in first-class cricket.
View this post on Instagram
Aaron’s Early Career and Injuries
Hailing from Jharkhand, Varun Aaron joined the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai at the age of 15 after being spotted by a talent scout. However, his career was plagued by frequent injuries. He suffered two stress fractures in his back soon after his Ranji Trophy debut in the 2008-09 season for Jharkhand. A back injury later kept him out of India’s 2011-12 tour of Australia, and another recurrence sidelined him for 15 months. In 2014, a leg injury further hampered his progress and severely affected his Test career.
🚨 𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 🚨
Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has officially announced his retirement from international cricket 🏏
He represented Team India in 9 Tests and 9 ODIs 🇮🇳👏#VarunAaron #India #Retirement #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/xDRRAVg58u
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 10, 2025
Rise Through Domestic and Emerging Teams
Varun Aaron was part of the India Emerging Players squad that toured Australia in 2011, and he earned a call-up to the India ODI squad for the series in England. Although he didn’t play a game during that tour, he made his ODI debut in Mumbai in October 2011, against England. A month later, Aaron made his Test debut in Mumbai against West Indies.
Breaking Stuart Broad’s Nose: A Defining Moment in Aaron’s Career
During India’s 2014 tour of England, Varun Aaron’s pace stood out, especially when a sharp bouncer broke Stuart Broad’s nose. This moment not only highlighted Aaron’s speed but also caught the attention of county side Durham, who later signed him for the final weeks of the season.