Returning to the Field After Retirement
Even after retiring from professional cricket, former Odisha all-rounder Abhishek Raut is set to return to the pitch. The ex-captain of the Odisha Ranji team and former player of the Odisha limited-overs squad will participate in the World Legends Pro T20 tournament from January 26 to February 4 at the 1919 Sports Stadium in Goa.
Representing Dubai Royals in the Legends League
Abhishek will represent the Dubai Royals, led by former Indian opener and ex-captain Shikhar Dhawan, in this prestigious T20 league. He becomes the first Odia cricketer to feature in the Legends League. The 38-year-old expressed excitement about playing alongside international cricket stars like Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dinesh Karthik, Dale Steyn, and others.
A Career Spanning Over Two Decades
Abhishek Raut retired this month after a 20-year cricketing career that began in 2005 with the Maharashtra Ranji team. He played in the IPL in 2009 under the captaincy of Shane Warne for Rajasthan Royals. Over the years, he also represented Goa and Odisha in domestic cricket. In the 2022–23 season, he captained Odisha to victories in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Career Statistics and Achievements
During his career, Abhishek scored 1,131 runs in 26 first-class matches, including one century and six half-centuries, with an average of 30.56. In 55 List-A matches, he amassed 1,066 runs including four half-centuries, and in 66 T20 matches, he scored 721 runs with one half-century. He also claimed 92 wickets across all formats with his leg-break googly.
Dreams of Giving Back to Odisha Cricket
Abhishek shared his fond memories of Odisha cricket, highlighting the strong bond he maintains with his home state team. He expressed his aspiration to train and mentor young players from Odisha in the future, continuing his contribution to the development of cricket in the state.
Excitement for Legends League
Speaking about the opportunity, Abhishek said, “Playing in the Legends League has given me a new lease of life in cricket. I was planning a few days of rest after retirement, but this invitation has reignited my passion. I am thrilled to share the field with some of the world’s greatest players and I hope this experience will inspire future generations in Odisha.”