India’s domestic veteran cricketer Rajat Bhatia has announced retirement from all forms of the game. In his 20 years career, Bhatia has made 112 First-class appearances, scoring 6,482 runs at an average of 49.10 and also took 137 wickets at a shade under 28.
Veteran domestic allrounder Bhatia, who was born in Delhi, started his career in the domestic circuit with Tamil Nadu, where he spent two years before finally being picked by his home state, Delhi in 2003-04. He represented Delhi for a majority of his domestic career and played a crucial role in the side’s Ranji Trophy-winning season in 2007, in which he scored 512 runs in 7 matches only.
Bhatia made his name in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as slow-medium pacer which frequently deceived the batsmen throughout his career in the cash-rich tournament. The all-rounder was a handy pick for Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he lifted the IPL title in 2012. In the year 2012 of IPL which is the title-winning season, he picked 13 wickets.
He played in all the seasons of the IPL until 2017, he began his journey in the tournament with the home franchise Delhi Daredevils, before moving to Kolkata knight Riders in 2011. He was a part of the KKR side that won the title in 2013. In that season he took 13 wickets for the side and helped them reach the finals to face Chennai Super Kings.
After two seasons, he was roped in by Rajasthan Royals but following his forgetful season, he was released by the side. Two years later he was bought by now-obsolete Rising Pune supergiants.
Overall, Bhatia played 96 IPL matches and also took 71 wickets.
Bhatia played in 119 List-A matches, scoring 3,038 runs at an average of 41.05. Though, the all-rounder could never make it to the highest level as the desirable India cap remained a dream.
He moved to Uttarakhand from Delhi in 2015 and also led them to the quarter-finals of the Ranji Trophy in 2018-19 season.
