(Cricket News) Paul Valthaty, the former batsman who played for Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai, has officially announced his retirement from first-class cricket. Paul Valthaty rose to prominence in 2011 when he scored an impressive 120 runs for Punjab against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the fourth season of the IPL.
The 39-year-old Paul Valthaty communicated his decision to retire to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Monday. Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged his fortune and pride in representing various teams throughout his career, including India Blue in the Challenger Trophy, the India U-19 team, the Mumbai Senior team, and various age-group teams. Paul Valthaty also expressed his appreciation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the MCA for their consistent support, both for him and other cricketers in similar situations.
In an email sent to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Paul Valthaty expressed his gratitude to the Indian Premier League (IPL), as well as the two teams he had the privilege to represent, namely Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings. He acknowledged being the first player from Mumbai and the fourth Indian overall to achieve the milestone of scoring a century in the IPL.
Following an impressive debut season with Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Valthaty’s tenure in the IPL concluded in 2013 due to teams’ preference for younger players in their squads. Now at 39 years old, Valthaty aims to contribute to the game’s development and mentor aspiring young cricketers.
During Valthaty’s remarkable IPL century in 2011, few were aware of his partial loss of vision, resulting from an incident during the 2002 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. He had suffered an injury when a short delivery from a Bangladesh bowler on a challenging pitch struck him in the eye, leading to his return home with a bandaged eye.
“The ball unexpectedly bounced and hit me directly in the eye,” Valthaty shared with a newspaper following his IPL century. “It took me a couple of years to adjust and regain my form.”
After experiencing the partial loss of vision caused by the unfortunate incident during the 2002 Under-19 World Cup, Paul Valthaty sought guidance and support from Nari Contractor. Contractor, a former Indian cricketer, had faced a similar traumatic event when he was struck on the head by a ball during the 1962 tour to West Indies.
Recognizing the value of Contractor’s advice and encouragement, Valthaty turned to him for guidance. Contractor, having overcome his own challenges, provided words of wisdom and counsel to Valthaty, helping him regain his confidence and resilience.
Contractor’s support played a significant role in Valthaty’s journey towards recovery and reestablishing himself in the game. It was through Contractor’s guidance that Valthaty found the strength to bounce back and gradually return to his best form on the cricket field. The shared experience between the two cricketers fostered a bond that transcended generations and served as a source of inspiration for Valthaty during his remarkable IPL century and subsequent career.
