Dinesh Mongia announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Former India all-rounder Dinesh Mongia has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 42-year old was a member of the 2003 World Cup squad that finished runners-up to Australia. Mongia played 57 ODIs for India from 2001 to 2007.

Mongia made his domestic debut for Punjab in the 1995-96 season. He was a steady performer, gaining experience before taking his game to the next level. His performances during the 2000-01 season brought him in the reckoning for an India call-up. He finally made his ODI debut against Australia in 2001.

In his 57 ODIs, Mongia scored 1230 runs at an average of 27.95. He has one century to his name, an outstanding innings of 159 against Zimbabwe in Guwahati in 2002. He was also a handy part-time spinner, picking 14 wickets with career-best figures of 3/31. It was his all-round abilities that earned him a place in the Indian side during the 2003 World Cup.

Also read: IND vs SA: 2nd T20I Preview – Teams aim to get action underway after Dharamsala washout

Mongia never played a Test match for India but did play one T20I against South Africa in 2006. He last played a match for India against Bangladesh in 2007.

After being on the fringes of selection in the national side, Mongia joined the Chandigarh Lions in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Though the rebel players were later handed amnesty by the BCCI, Mongia has not been in action on the field since the conclusion of the ICL.

Mongia had a very good record at the first-class level, playing 121 matches and scoring 8028 runs. He averaged a healthy 48.95 with 27 centuries. He was appointed state selector by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) during the last season.