Chennai: Former Indian cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji has announced his retirement from first class cricket.
“I have to move on, have a young family now. I have given it all during my 16 years as a first class cricketer,” Balaji was quoted as saying by a national daily.
However, the daily reported that he would continue to play in T20 matches such as the Indian Premier League and Tamil Nadu Premier League.
The right arm fast medium bowler made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2003, while he sprung into spotlight after the Pakistan series in 2004.
Balaji, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is best remembered for his performance in 2004 against Pakistan when he took seven wickets including Inzamam-ul-Haq's to help India win the series.
He took 27 wickets in eight Tests and 34 wickets from the 30 ODIs he played for India. And in first class cricket, he took 330 wickets from 106 matches.
Balaji also played for the Chennai Super Kings in the first three editions of the IPL from 2008.