Cricketer Siddhant Lohani Announces Retirement from Professional Cricket
News Summary
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- Nepalese cricketer Siddhant Lohani has announced his retirement from professional cricket after recurring injuries and seven knee surgeries.
- Having debuted for the national team in 2015, Lohani revealed his career ended due to the need for a full left knee replacement.
- He stated, ‘Retirement is not a farewell to cricket; I hope to return in a new role and remain actively involved in the sport.’
3rd Shrawan, Kathmandu – Nepalese cricketer Siddhant Lohani has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
On Saturday, through social media, Lohani revealed that he was compelled to end his cricket career due to injuries requiring seven knee surgeries.
Lohani made his national team debut on July 18, 2015, and announced his retirement exactly 11 years later from international and professional cricket on the same date.
Despite numerous efforts to return after his knee injury, he stated that a severe infection following surgery necessitated a full replacement of his left knee.
“After many operations, I tried to get back on the field, but the infection worsened my condition, and ultimately, a full replacement of my left knee was required. My leg will never be the same, and I will have lifelong limitations in bending my knee,” he wrote.
Lohani was injured while fielding during the Mahendra Narayan Nidhi T20 National Tournament held in Janakpur in 2023, where he captained the Koshi Province team.
He made his debut for Nepal’s senior team on July 18, 2015, against Jersey in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers, scoring 27 runs with 2 fours and 2 sixes off 16 balls.
Though Nepal lost the match by 7 wickets, Lohani was the team’s highest scorer, and his signature helicopter shot became widely popular internationally.
Despite a promising debut, his international career did not expand significantly afterwards.
Lohani also played in the Everest Premier League in 2018 and the Nepal T20 League in January 2023. However, after his injury in June 2023, he has been unable to return to competitive cricket.
He acknowledged that returning to professional cricket is no longer possible and expressed gratitude for being able to walk again, thanking God.
“It is heartbreaking to retire from cricket at such a young age due to injury, but the memories of playing for the national team will remain fresh throughout my life,” he said.
Lohani expressed his gratitude towards his family, coaches, physiotherapists, teammates, supporters, and the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN), Morang District Cricket Association, Koshi Province Cricket Association, and all franchise teams that provided him opportunities.
He clarified that retirement does not mean a farewell to cricket and committed to remaining involved in the sport in a different capacity going forward. “Retirement is not a goodbye to cricket. I hope to return to cricket soon in a new role,” he concluded.