Rahul Sharma reveals harassment while playing district cricket in Jalandhar

For the last six years legspinner Rahul Sharmarsquos routine has been to practise skills work on his fitness and hope for an opportunity to make that elusive comeback As the wait got longer the 35yearold took the big decision on hanging up his boots from international and domestic cricketHe made the announcement via Twitter on Sunday Rahul who featured in four ODIs and two T20Is from 2011 to 2012 took the decision to retire after a conversation with legendary Sachin TendulkarldquoI was working hard on my game but I did not get any opportunity to prove myself after the injury I was told there are many youngsters in the fray now Sachin paaji had called to check what was I doingI told him that I am thinking about retirement as I am not getting any opportunity Paaji told me to play in the World Road Safety Series a T20 tournament I decided to move on after that He told me that playing matches is importantrdquo Rahul told middaycom on Monday from JalandharRahul shot into limelight in the 2011 IPL after dismissing Tendulkar Rahul playing for Pune Warriors foxed the ace Mumbai Indians batsman at the Wankhede Stadium In their return fixture Rahul finished with 27 It was enough for the national selectors to reward him with a place in the Indian teamRahul was diagnosed with Bells Palsy a facial nerve dysfunction during the 2010 IPL with Deccan Chargers he thanked Adam Gilchrist DC skipper for motivating him during that phaseAlso Read Steve Smith bigs up his T20 credentials keen to be in Australias World Cup squadLack of opportunities and the passing away of his father last year due to Covid19 left him devastated ldquoI was mentally down as I wasnrsquot getting any opportunities Also my father passed away last year due to Covid19 I was eager to come back after my injury but I never really got any opportunity I stayed positive of getting an opportunityldquoPersonally also it was difficult I could not earn even a single penny from cricket apart from the job in a private company that I haverdquo said Rahul who had tested positive for a banned drug in 2012 Juhu rave party case Rahul and South African allrounder Wayne Parnell were arrested by Mumbai PoliceFollowing his fatherrsquos demise Rahul had promised to fulfil his dadrsquos dream of donning the blue Indian team jersey ldquoAlthough I wasnrsquot playing actively I was religiously practising daily for the last six to seven years I was hopeful that I will get an opportunity But I ended up playing just six district matches So you can imagine the disappointment Despite being an India player I was treated like this in my district Jalandhar Even if I was playing the match I would not be sure whether I will get to bowl It was harassment It was very tough I wished to take retirement while playing competitive cricket but it didnrsquot happen that way When I did not make it to the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 squad last season I was very disappointed I was confident to make it Thatrsquos when this thought of retirement stuck merdquo said Rahul for whom the best memory was to share the dressing room with some of the greats of Indian cricket Rahul will venture into private T20 leagues world over as he feels he has the ldquopotentialrdquo to play competitive cricket which he last played in 2014 for Delhi Daredevils now Delhi Capitals ldquoI still have the desired fitness levels I will play in other leagues around the world till I have the potential to play After that I will think about any work in cricket like coachingrdquo he signed off