India's domestic cricket hero Robin Bist announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday (January 14). In his domestic career, which spanned for 15 years, Bist amassed 6838 runs in 106 first class matches, 1872 runs in 61 List A matches and 476 runs in 38 T20 matches which makes a total of 9186 runs in all the three formats. Despite his impressive profile and outstanding performances he never got the India call up as he finally decided to hang his boot. The 35-year-old played an instrumental role when Rajasthan won the Ranji Trophy in 2010-11 and 2011-12. In the 2011-12 season, he was the team’s highest run-getter with 1034 runs from 16 innings, at an average of 86.16. He struck four tons in 2011-2012 season which grabbed eyeballs and he was roped in by Delhi Daredevils franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The legendary Indian cricketer also couldn't hold himself from heaping praise on the star batter as he believed Bist deserved a chance in Indian fold. Bist linked up with India A team for the West Indies tour but marred by the string of injuries and not so strong support from the state unit he lost his spot.
Bist termed his decision an emotional one and said he knew that he would not get an IPL contract again neither he would play for India, which eventually forced him to call it a day to cricket.
“I am almost 36 and I knew that I would not get an IPL contract again, neither would I play for India, so I thought over it and decided to move on,” an emotional Bist told Sportstar.
“It was an emotional decision for sure. I am grateful to this game for giving me so much, but when you play non-stop cricket for 10-15 years, you end up missing out on your family life. You end up missing out on being with the family when they need you,” Bist said.
He kicked off his career with age-group cricket in Delhi, before moving to Rajasthan in 2005-06. Soon after moving to Rajasthan, Bist played in a practice match against Pakistan XI ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and claimed the wicket of Mohammad Yousuf and hogged a fair share of limelight. He also contributed with 22 runs while batting back then.
He made his First-Class debut in the 2007-2008 season for Rajasthan against Delhi. With the Rajasthan Cricket Association suspended from 2013 end, Bist moved to Himachal Pradesh in the 2015-16 season, before returning to Rajasthan in 2017 but couldn't impress with his performance in the second essay even though he hammered 741 runs in the Ranji Trophy in the 2018-19 season. Further he moved to Sikkim and Uttarakhand before calling it a day to the game.
“I have had my moments of happiness over the last one decade, and now I plan to sit back, relax a bit with family and then start my full-fledged coaching career…”
Bist has been playing club cricket in Chennai and will formally begin his coaching career with the Salem franchise at the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) later this year.
“When I look back, there are so many happy memories that I cherish,” he said, making it clear that guiding Rajasthan to the Ranji Trophy title will always be special.
“To have shared the dressing room with the biggest stars of the game - Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja - is special. This is the stuff dreams are made of and I will always cherish them…,” Bist concluded.
