At the age of 37, former Indian batter Punam Raut announced her retirement from international cricket, capping a more than ten-year career. Raut scored 264 runs in four Test matches, 2299 runs in 73 ODIs, and 719 runs in 35 T20Is while playing for India in all three formats. She amassed four tons and 19 half-centuries, including a top score of 130 in a 2014 Test match against South Africa at Mysuru.
In March 2009, Raut made her ODI debut against the West Indies. In June 2021, she participated in her final international match, an ODI against England. She established herself as one of the more reliable top-order batsmen in the women’s game during that time by representing India in three ODI World Cups and four T20 World Cups.
Raut said in an Instagram post, “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. Representing India was never just a dream fulfilled; it was a privilege I carried with immense pride.”
Raut scored three hundreds and fifteen fifties while amassing 2,299 runs at an average of 34.83 in 73 ODIs. In 35 T20 International matches, she amassed 719 runs. In just four Test matches, she scored 264 runs, including a career-high 130 against South Africa in 2014.
Her career reached its pinnacle during the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Throughout the tournament, Raut amassed 381 runs, including a century of 109 against Ireland, where she and Deepti Sharma had a record 320-run opening partnership. After that, she scored 86 in the final match at Lord’s against England, when India just missed winning the championship.
She struck 36 in the first innings in the 2021 day-night Test against Australia, which was another noteworthy moment in her international career. Even though the on-field umpire had decided in Raut’s favor, she decided to leave the game after edging a delivery to the goalkeeper, which attracted more attention. Many people applauded the incident as an example of good sportsmanship.
