Remember this IPL star who scored a century against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings, has announced his retirement after recovering from vision loss

The Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years has often produced unexpected success stories and made heroes out of ordinary cricketers. From Chennai Super Kings bowler Shadab Jakati to Rajasthan Royals spinner Pravin Tambe, who became heroes overnight thanks to the IPL. One such hero was Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) opener Paul Valthaty.

The former Mumbai batsman’s sole claim to fame was his remarkable century against the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2011. Dhoni scored a 20-ball 43 to power CSK to 188 for 4 in Mohali in that IPL 2021 match. ,

Kings XI chased down the target with 5 balls to spare, with Valthaty opening the batting alongside the great Adam Gilchrist, scoring an unbeaten 120 off 63 balls with 2 sixes and 19 fours.

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Overall Valthaty could manage only 505 runs in his career in 23 IPL matches with 1 century and 2 fifties. On Monday, at the age of 39, Valthaty announced his retirement from all forms of the game.

“I was extremely fortunate and proud to represent India Blue, India Under-19 and Mumbai Senior team and teams of all age groups in the Challenger Trophy in my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank BCCI and MCA who have always supported me and many cricketers like me.

Valthaty wrote in his letter, “I would also like to thank the IPL and both my teams, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, whom I had the privilege to represent and was the first player from Mumbai and the fourth Indian to score a century in the IPL.” According to the Indian Express newspaper, the mail has been sent to the MCA.

,@paulvalthaty Retired from first class cricket. pic.twitter.com/Ue3ghS1YP0

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) 18 July 2023

Paul Valthaty suffers career-threatening eye injury

The former Mumbai all-rounder was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup squad in 2002 along with players like Irfan Pathan. However, on a dangerous wicket, a short ball from a Bangladesh pacer hit Valthaty in the eye and he returned home blindfolded.

“The ball bounced unexpectedly and hit me straight in the eye. “It took me at least a few years to adjust and bring out my best,” Valthaty told the Indian Express newspaper.

The Mumbaikar then sought the help of former Indian captain Nari Contractor, who had suffered a similar injury in 1962 against the West Indies.

Even after scoring a century against CSK in the IPL, Valthaty’s career has been full of ups and downs. He later revealed in an interview to TOI newspaper that it was because of the injuries.

“Unfortunately in 2011, after IPL, I again had to face injuries. This time, I could not hold the bat for almost the entire season after the IPL due to a wrist injury. I got it operated in London after IPL 2012,” he told TOI last year.

Valthaty retired from cricket at the age of 39 with 34 T20 matches and 5 first-class matches.