“To Beaches and a few Pina Coladas” - India fast bowler announces retirement from all cricket ahead of IPL 2025

Indian pacer Varun Aaron has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 35-year-old took to social media on Friday, January 10, to share the news. Varun, who played 18 international matches for India across ODIs and Tests, taking 29 wickets, made his last appearance for the national team in a Test match against South Africa in 2015.

Meanwhile, his final appearance in competitive cricket came on January 5, 2025, during the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand, where he claimed two wickets. The pacer shared a photo on Instagram to announce his retirement from representative cricket, captioning the post:

“To Beaches and a few Pina Coladas.”

Meanwhile, the picture included a message in which he thanked God, his family, friends, and coaches who supported him throughout his career. Varun wrote:

“For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket. This journey wouldn't have been possible without God, my family, friends, teammates, coaches, support staff and fans.”

"Over the years, I've had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again, this was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy,” he added.

The pacer concluded:

“I'd also like to thank BCCI, JSCA, Red Bull, SG Cricket, and MRF Tyres for their invaluable support during critical junctures in my career. As I bid farewell to a pursuit that has consumed me completely, I now look forward to savoring the smaller joys in life while staying deeply connected to the game that has given me everything. Fast bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”

Varun played 88 List A matches, taking 141 wickets. Additionally, he claimed 44 wickets in 52 IPL matches.

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Varun Aaron retired from first-class cricket in February 2024

Varun Aaron announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on January 10, 2025. Prior to that, he had retired from first-class cricket in February 2024, making the announcement on February 16.

In his final first-class match for Jharkhand against Rajasthan, he took five wickets. Over the course of his career, Aaron played 66 first-class games, taking 173 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls.