NEW DELHI Reuter: Indian Test Batsman Sandeep Patil says he is retiring from first class cricket in order to concentrate on his business interests.
Patil 30 made the surprise announcement after scoring 64 for Indian champions Bombay against the Australians.
He was omitted by the selectors from the team to play in the first two one day internationals against the tourists and later told reporters that he believed there was no chance for him to regain a place in the national side.
“As a result there is no point in playing first class cricket as I will only be depriving a youngster of an opportunity” he said.
Patil a brilliant but inconsistent batsman and occasional medium pace bowler played for India 29 times scoring 1588 runs at an average of 36.93.
His most memorable test innings was 174 against an Australian attack that included Lillee Pascoe and Hogg at Adelaide in 1980 which helped bring him the award as India’s cricketer of the year.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 12, 1986
