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After a celebrated journey spanning nearly two decades, Gujarat’s dependable top-order batter Priyank Panchal has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. Known for his resilience and unwavering consistency, the 35-year-old made the announcement through a heartfelt post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, bringing an end to a career that left an indelible mark on the Indian domestic cricket landscape.
Priyank Panchal calls time after a remarkable first-class career
Panchal, a key figure in Gujarat’s Ranji Trophy triumph and a long-serving servant of the domestic game, retires as the state’s second-highest run-scorer in red-ball cricket. His final first-class appearance came in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, where he scored two centuries — including a memorable 148 in the semi-final against Kerala, which turned out to be his farewell knock.
His career stats speak volumes of his contribution:
- Matches: 127
- Runs: 8856
- Centuries: 23 (the most by any Gujarat player)
In addition to his red-ball heroics, Panchal featured in 97 List A games and 59 T20 matches, proving his versatility across formats.
In his retirement message, Panchal expressed deep gratitude to teammates, fans, and mentors. He wrote: “It’s an emotional moment. It’s an enriching moment. And it’s a moment which fills me with a lot of gratitude.”
Panchal added a message to his fans, many of whom had hoped to see him in India colours. He said: “Many of you talk fondly about wanting to see me in India colours. It’s with this steadfast motivation that I continued my journey till now. But the book is not wrapped up… the next chapter always promises to be better.”
Over and out. Onto greener pastures now. ?
— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09)
Irfan Pathan, Abhinav Mukund and others applaud Panchal’s career
The cricketing community responded with admiration and well-wishes. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Panchal, saying: “Well done. Good luck for the next chapter of your life.”
Well done. Good luck for the next chapter of your life.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Ex-opener Abhinav Mukund added: “Congratulations Priyank, you can be proud of your achievements. Good luck for the 2nd innings!”
Congratulations Priyank, you can be proud of your achievements. Good luck for the 2nd innings!?
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav)
Here’s how others reacted:
Good luck for the second innings Priyank. Wish you could have played for India
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Sad, you never represent India with close to 9k FC runs
— BIBHU (@CricFreakBK)
Happy retirement brother
All the best for your future ?— ?????? (@Shebas_10dulkar)
Another one who could never make it but deserved to. It’s a mystery how Priyank never got a chance in the era where batters in our team were averaging sub 45. ?
— Abhishek (@abhishekr2502)
Congratulations Priyank on an enriching career. Godspeed.
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9)
Remember Priyank Panchal used to captain India A a lot, and would play all matches leading up to a test series. However, in a country where a t20 league is the criterion for test selection, can't do much other than being a domestic legend. Congrats on a great career…
— Arvind (@reallynithesh)
Congratulations on a wonderful domestic career, Priyank.
Really wished to see you don the Indian cap at least once and you came really close, got selected in multiple Test squads for Team India.
But nevertheless, almost 10K runs in first class is no ordinary feat. All the best.
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket)
Go well and best wishes what I hope turns out to be really green pastures
— Srikant (@srikantns)
Dear Priyank, you carried the dreams of many with grace, grit, and consistency. Your journey from the streets of Ahmedabad to the pinnacle of Indian domestic cricket is nothing short of inspiring. Wishing you the very best for the next chapter. Happy Retirement. ??
— Yash (@yash_pst)
Stalwart of Domestic Cricket, Gujarat will miss you Skipper ?♥️
— AyeeIntern (@MayankSodani)
Happy retirement bro and good luck going ahead.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
Certified legend for us.
Hope you would represent India in some other universe.
Baaki Ranji ma toh amara mate bau karyu tame saheb. Thank you❤️— Observer (@133x161merchant)
Congratulations on a wonderful career.
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz)
i always used to believe that this guy would have played at number 3 since 2018, in tests. unfortunate for ICT Tests
— Saiić? (@ImSai49)
Congratulations Priyank on a fantastic career. Good luck going forward. ?
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana)
Well played . Proud of your achievements ?
— Shankar Khasnis ?? (@Khanapur)
You definitely deserved to debut for India..but India's govt employee players didn't let that happen. ?
— Archer (@poserarcher)
Happy retirement champ. Consistent performer at domestic level. I wish you had got enough chances to represent india but wishing you all success, hope u continue your journey off the feild ?
— Mahesh©️ (@sport_admirer)
Congratulations bro, you had a great journey with Gujarat in domestic wishing you all the best for your next journey. ❤️
— Ahmed Says (@AhmedGT_)
It feels so bad to see a talented domestic player announce retirement without playing for the National Team in any format.
— Right Arm Over (@RightArmOver_)
Followed you regularly and always wished you would represent India someday.
Happy Retirement ?— Inside out (@INSIDDE_OUT)
Thank you for everything you did for Gujarat ?
— Pankil Sheth (@PankilSheth19)
Congratulations on a stellar career for Gujarat, and wishing you all the luck for your journey ahead.
— Spandan Roy (@talksports45)
Here Bcci successfully ruined the career of one hardworking genuine promising cricketer .
— VISHAL (@beingVishal2712)
Congratulations on your career, Priyank. Best wishes for the next innings.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
I have seen you play in first class cricket you are extremely talented batter. Your record in domestic cricket speak itself. Go well man. Have fun and enjoy second inning.
— Naseem Akram (@naseemakram100)
Happy retirement buddy ?
— Cricklover (@kumarmanoj_11)
Go well champ?
— VijayprakashUpadhyay (@vijayprakashu8)
Congratulations priyank on a wonderful career ?
— Rajesh Khilare (@Cricrajeshpk)
Priyank Panchal, one of the grittiest and most consistent openers in domestic cricket, has announced his retirement. It's unfortunate that despite coming so close, he never got the chance to wear the India Test cap.
A true domestic legend bows out.
Happy Retirement!❤️— Srinath Roychowdhury (@SrinathRoychow1)
//twitter.com/MagnesiumKohli/status/1926996016227594542
What a wonderful career he had.Sad that never got to wear that baggy blue cap.He deserved it so much
— Rachit Modi (@RachitModi17)
Have a wonderful second innings!
— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken)
True legend of the domestic scene.
— Sudhir S B (@realmadrid_ssb)
Join CSK bro
— Chittaranjan Kumar (@chitta2019)
start incentivising players who choose test cricket over other formats.
— Chandan Dasthakur (@ChandanDasthak3)
