Veteran India pace bowler Mohit Sharma announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, bringing down the curtain on a professional career that spanned nearly 14 years. The 37-year-old medium pacer, who represented India in 34 international matches and enjoyed considerable success in the Indian Premier League, made the announcement through an emotional Instagram post that thanked everyone who shaped his journey from Haryana domestic cricket to the international stage.
Mohit Sharma’s retirement marks the end of an era for a bowler who became synonymous with discipline, clever variations, and death-overs expertise. His decision comes just days before the IPL 2026 auction and shortly after the BCCI announced India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series, suggesting that the right-arm pacer recognized his international comeback hopes had ended.
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A Career Built on Determination and Skill
“Today with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket,” Mohit Sharma wrote on his Instagram page. “From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of blessing.”
Mohit Sharma began his first-class career in 2011 with Haryana, and consistent performances in domestic cricket quickly caught the attention of IPL scouts. His breakthrough came in 2013 when Chennai Super Kings signed him, providing the platform that would launch both his franchise and international careers. Under the guidance of MS Dhoni at CSK, Mohit developed into a dependable death-overs specialist, mastering variations including the back-of-the-hand slower ball that became his signature delivery.
The Haryana pacer made his India debut in 2013, marking the beginning of an international career that lasted until 2015. Across 26 ODIs, he claimed 35 wickets at an average of around 32, with best figures of 4/22. In his eight T20I appearances, he picked up six wickets, providing India with useful middle-overs control and death-overs options during a competitive period for Indian fast bowling.
The 2015 World Cup Campaign
Mohit Sharma’s most significant achievement at the international level came when he was selected for India’s 2015 ICC ODI World Cup squad. The tournament, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, saw Mohit feature in eight matches as India progressed to the semi-finals.
During the World Cup campaign, Mohit took 13 wickets, playing a consistent supporting role to India’s pace attack. His ability to bowl disciplined lines and produce effective variations made him a valuable asset in Australian conditions, where bounce and pace typically favor fast bowlers. Although India’s journey ended in the semi-finals with a loss to eventual champions Australia, Mohit’s contributions throughout the tournament demonstrated his capacity to perform on cricket’s biggest stage.
His international career peaked between 2013 and 2015, when he regularly featured alongside senior pacers in India’s limited-overs sides. However, increased competition for places and the emergence of younger fast bowlers gradually limited his opportunities at the international level.
IPL Success and Purple Cap Glory
While Mohit Sharma’s international career was relatively brief, his IPL journey spanned over a decade and produced numerous memorable performances. He played in all IPL seasons from 2013 to 2025, except for 2021 and 2022, accumulating 134 wickets from 120 matches—numbers that place him among the most successful Indian seamers in IPL history.
The pinnacle of Mohit’s IPL career came in 2014 when, representing Chennai Super Kings, he emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the season. He claimed 23 wickets at an average of 19.65 in 16 matches, earning the Purple Cap—the award given to the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. His ability to bowl cutters, slower balls, and slow bouncers in the death overs made him particularly effective during that championship-winning season for CSK.
Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy at Chennai Super Kings, Mohit flourished as a death-overs specialist. Dhoni’s tactical acumen and understanding of bowling variations helped Mohit develop into one of the IPL’s most reliable operators in pressure situations. The partnership between captain and bowler exemplified how tactical intelligence can maximize a bowler’s effectiveness.
The Gujarat Titans Resurgence
After disappearing from the IPL for two seasons (2021 and 2022), Mohit Sharma made a remarkable comeback with Gujarat Titans in 2023. His return to the league came after he impressed head coach Ashish Nehra as a net bowler—a testament to his persistence and determination to continue playing at the highest level.
The 2023 season proved to be one of Mohit’s finest IPL campaigns. He finished as Gujarat Titans’ second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets, trailing only his teammate Mohammed Shami. His performances played a crucial role in guiding GT to the IPL 2023 final, demonstrating that age and absence hadn’t diminished his skills or effectiveness.
In 2024, Mohit continued with Gujarat Titans before moving to Delhi Capitals for the 2025 season. However, his final IPL campaign proved challenging, as he managed just two wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 10.28. Delhi Capitals subsequently released him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, effectively ending his franchise cricket career.
Four IPL Finals Without Victory
One of the most poignant aspects of Mohit Sharma’s career is that despite his success and longevity in the IPL, he featured in four finals without ever lifting the trophy. This statistic, while highlighting his consistent presence in successful teams, also represents the heartbreak of coming close to ultimate glory multiple times without achieving it.
His finals appearances came with different franchises, demonstrating his ability to contribute to winning teams across various setups and leadership groups. While the lack of an IPL title might seem like an unfulfilled dream, Mohit’s consistent selection for championship-contending teams speaks volumes about his value and reliability as a performer.
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
In his retirement announcement, Mohit Sharma expressed heartfelt gratitude to numerous individuals and organizations that supported his career. He gave special thanks to the Haryana Cricket Association, describing it as “the backbone of my career,” acknowledging the crucial role state associations play in developing cricketers.
Mohit also expressed deep gratitude to “Anirudh Sir,” whose constant guidance and belief shaped his career path in ways words couldn’t fully express. This acknowledgment highlights the importance of mentorship in cricket, where coaches and guides often play pivotal roles in nurturing talent and building character.
“Thank you to the BCCI, my coaches, my teammates, IPL franchises, support staff and all my friends for their love and support,” Mohit wrote. “Special thanks to my wife who always handled my mood swings and anger, and supported me through everything.”
The specific mention of his wife’s support through difficult moments reveals the emotional challenges athletes face throughout their careers. The acknowledgment that she handled his mood swings and anger demonstrates the personal toll that professional cricket—with its highs and lows, selections and rejections—can exact on players and their families.
Legacy and Future Plans
Mohit Sharma’s career numbers tell the story of a professional who maximized his abilities through discipline, skill development, and mental toughness. In domestic cricket, he claimed 127 wickets in 44 first-class matches at an average of 24.55, while taking 86 wickets in 78 List A matches. These statistics, combined with his international and IPL achievements, paint a picture of a consistently effective performer across all formats and levels.
His retirement announcement concluded with a hint about his future: “I look forward to serving the game in fresh ways. Thank you so much. Innings over, gratitude forever.” This statement suggests Mohit intends to remain involved in cricket, possibly through coaching, mentoring, or other support roles that would allow him to share his extensive experience with the next generation.
Given his mastery of death-overs bowling and variations, Mohit would be particularly valuable as a bowling coach or consultant specializing in limited-overs cricket. His experience working under MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings and his understanding of pressure situations could prove invaluable to young bowlers learning to navigate the complexities of modern limited-overs cricket.
Mohit Sharma retires with the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans who admired his ability to deliver under pressure. His career, marked by a Purple Cap, World Cup participation, and over a decade of IPL success, represents the journey of a cricketer who reached impressive heights through hard work, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
FAQs
When did Mohit Sharma announce his retirement?
Mohit Sharma announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on December 3, 2025, through an emotional Instagram post. The announcement came just days before the IPL 2026 auction and shortly after the BCCI announced India’s T20I squad for the South Africa series.
What were Mohit Sharma’s international cricket statistics?
Mohit Sharma played 26 ODIs for India, taking 35 wickets at an average of around 32 with best figures of 4/22. He also featured in eight T20Is, claiming six wickets. His international career spanned from 2013 to 2015, including participation in the 2015 ODI World Cup where he took 13 wickets.
What was Mohit Sharma’s biggest achievement in IPL?
Mohit Sharma’s biggest IPL achievement came in 2014 when he won the Purple Cap as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker while representing Chennai Super Kings. He claimed 23 wickets at an average of 19.65 in 16 matches. Overall, he finished with 134 wickets from 120 IPL matches.
Which IPL franchises did Mohit Sharma represent?
Mohit Sharma represented four IPL franchises during his career: Chennai Super Kings (where he won the Purple Cap in 2014), Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Gujarat Titans (where he took 27 wickets in 2023), and Delhi Capitals (his final IPL team in 2025).
Did Mohit Sharma win any IPL titles?
Despite his success and longevity in the IPL, Mohit Sharma never won an IPL title. He featured in four IPL finals throughout his career but finished on the losing side each time, making this one of the most poignant aspects of his otherwise successful IPL career.
