Punam Raut Announces Retirement from International Cricket After 17-Year Journey

Punam Raut announced her retirement from international cricket on Thursday, October 15, 2026, bringing her journey with the Indian team to a close. She made her international debut in 2009 and represented India for more than a decade. The right-handed batter played across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, making valuable contributions in each format. Her last international appearance came in an ODI against England in June 2021, after which she did not play for India again. As she steps away from international cricket, Raut leaves behind a career filled with important performances, personal achievements and memories of wearing the Indian jersey.

Raut built her career through consistent batting across the three formats. In 73 ODIs, she scored 2,299 runs, including three centuries and 15 half-centuries. She also played 35 T20Is, collecting 719 runs and recording four half-centuries. In Test cricket, she scored 264 runs in four matches, with her only Test century coming against South Africa in 2014. Her highest scores were 109 not out in ODIs, 75 in T20Is and 130 in Tests. Altogether, she finished with four international hundreds. These performances show how she adapted her batting to different formats while continuing to contribute to India’s cricket journey.

One of the most memorable phases of Raut’s career came during the 2017 Women’s World Cup. She scored 381 runs in the tournament and played an important role in India’s run to the final. Her innings of 86 against England at Lord’s was a major contribution, although India eventually lost the final by nine runs. Raut also scored 109 against Ireland during the same competition. That innings came as part of a record 320-run opening partnership with Deepti Sharma. Her performances during the tournament became some of the most notable moments of her international career and helped India make a strong impression on the world stage.

In 2021, Raut was part of India’s historic pink-ball Test against Australia. She scored 36 in the first innings, contributing with the bat in a significant match for Indian women’s cricket. However, she also earned attention for a moment that showed her honesty on the field. After edging a delivery, she walked despite being given not out. Her decision was praised as an example of sportsmanship. The incident showed that her contribution to cricket was not only about runs and records but also about respecting the game and playing it in the right spirit.

After announcing her retirement, Raut shared a personal message on Instagram, looking back at the journey that took her from Mumbai to representing India. She wrote, “From the streets of Mumbai to wearing the Indian jersey, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. A journey filled with sacrifices, struggles, unforgettable victories, tough lessons, and moments I will cherish for a lifetime.” She also explained what representing the country meant to her, saying, “Representing India was never just a dream fulfilled; it was a privilege I carried with immense pride,” while thanking the people who supported her along the way.

Raut also spoke about her plans after international cricket, making it clear that her connection with the sport would continue. She expressed gratitude to those who believed in her and stood beside her throughout her career. Cricket, she explained, had given her purpose, identity and family, making it much more than a profession. Looking towards the future, she wrote, “The player in me may step aside, but the love for this game will never retire. My next innings is about giving back to the game that gave me everything.”

Raut’s retirement closes a career that began in 2009 and included contributions in all three international formats. Her centuries, half-centuries, World Cup performances and sportsmanship remain important parts of her journey with India. Although her final international appearance came in 2021, she now hopes to give back to the sport that shaped her life.

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Source: femalecricket.com