Baroda’s Pinal Shah to retire from all forms of cricket

Vadodara: Over a decade-and-half ago, he was touted to play for India and carry forward the legacy of Baroda cricketers Kiran More and Nayan Mongia who kept wickets for the national side. But with an unfulfilled dream, wicket-keeper batsman Pinal Shah has decided to retire from all forms of cricket. Shah will officially approach the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) this week and announce his retirement.
“Yes, I have decided to retire from all forms of cricket and will make the announcement within a few days.It was a fantastic experience playing for Baroda and taking up different roles. I faced some tough times but the association always backed me and my teammates too were always supportive,” said 33-year-old Shah who began his first-class cricket career in 2005-06 as a wicket-keeper batsman.
“I wanted to carry forward the legacy of More and Mongia who kept wickets for the Indian team and made our city proud. Every passionate cricketer always aims to play for his country so the regret that I couldn’t play for India will remain. But I am content with my performance in first-class cricket,” Shah told TOI. He is expected to take up a key role in the BCA after his retirement.
Shah, who was a member of the U-19 world cup squad, played 93 first-class games in his 16-year long career and scored 3,409 runs including a double century. He took 278 catches behind the wickets and executed 38 stumpings. Shah has also played 54 T20 games and scored 471 runs. Impressed with his performance, Mumbai Indians team picked him up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.
Having started his cricketing career with Hind Vijay Gymkhana, Shah went on to captain Baroda in many matches and played crucial knocks in the middle order. “The association has given me so much so I want to make a meaningful contribution to Baroda cricket,” he added.