Punam Raut, former Indian women’s cricket team batter who retired from all formats, has also quit international cricket. She made her announcement on Thursday, October 15, and now ends a 10-year career from 2009.
Raut wrote a moving note on her journey from Mumbai’s local cricket grounds to representing India at the highest level. She said playing for her country was one of the best honours of her life and she thanked everyone for supporting her career.
Raut wrote her retirement message: “The player in me may step aside, but the love for this game will never retire.” And she also expressed her desire to give back to cricket, a sport that was the key to her life and career.
Punam Raut's international cricket career
Raut made her international debut in 2009 and represented India in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
She played four Tests, 73 ODIs and 35 T20Is and scored a total of 3,282 runs across formats in her career.
Her international record includes 264 runs in Test cricket, 2,299 runs in ODIs and 719 runs in T20Is. She scored four international centuries including three in ODIs and one in Tests.
Raut was known for her technically sound batting and ability to build innings. She made many contributions to the Indian women’s team in the ODI format.
She last played for India in 2021. She had not played international cricket since then but her retirement announcement formally ends a career that went on for over a decade.
A memorable performance in the 2017 Women’s World Cup
Raut’s career was one of the defining chapters during India’s campaign against England at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
She scored 381 runs in nine innings during the tournament and finished as India’s second highest run-scorer behind captain Mithali Raj.
Raut’s most memorable contribution was in the final against England at Lord’s. Chasing a target of 229, she scored 86 runs from 115 balls and helped India recover after losing early wickets.
Her 95-run partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur brought India back into the contest. India appeared to be in a strong position at 191 for three before Raut was dismissed, triggering a collapse.
India was finally bowled out for 219 and lost the final by nine runs. Raut’s innings, however, was one of the most memorable performances of India’s campaign.
She said in her retirement note that the 2017 World Cup was one of the best moments in her career and that it inspired a generation of young girls to take up cricket.
Raut’s Record-breaking Partnership with Deepti Sharma
One of Raut’s biggest accomplishments in her career was at a match against Ireland during a women’s quadrangular series in South Africa in May 2017.
Raut and Deepti Sharma shared a 320-run opening partnership, making it the highest opening stand in women’s ODI cricket at the time.
Deepti scored 188 runs and Raut contributed 109 before retiring hurt. Their partnership proved Raut’s ability to build long innings and make significant contributions at the top of the order.
She also scored a Test century against South Africa in 2014, finishing with 130 runs in the match at Mysuru.
Acknowledging Those Who Supported Her Journey
Raut thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Mumbai Cricket Association and Indian Railways in her retirement statement for their support during her career.
She also took time to express her gratitude to former India captain Mithali Raj under whom she played for the national team and Railways.
Raut reflected on the sacrifices, struggles, victories and lessons she took from her journey. Representation of India was a privilege and wearing the national jersey was a dream that actually became reality, she said.
Her message was also about how she was believed in and supported in sport and didn’t care what her future was like.
What is next for Punam Raut?
Raut has finished her international playing career but she has said she wants to stay connected with cricket.
“I want to give back to the game that gave me a purpose, identity and a sense of belonging,” her retirement message said.
She hasn’t yet said what role she will take in the sport but she makes clear that she will remain in the sport and contribute.
Raut leaves international cricket with 3,282 runs in three formats and a lasting association with India’s memorable run to the 2017 Women’s World Cup final. Her career will be remembered for her consistency, resilience and contributions to Indian women’s cricket.
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