Tag: Retirement

Sports

Mohit Sharma Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket

allycaralgoa

Fast bowler Mohit Sharma, known for his sharp variations and death-over mastery, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday, 3 December. The 37-year-old, who last appeared in the Indian Premier League 2025 season for Delhi Capitals, shared the news through an emotional Instagram post, closing a chapter that spanned more than a decade of professional cricket.

Mohit represented India in 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is between 2013 and 2015, forming a reliable seam option during his peak years. He earned widespread recognition for his ability to deliver under pressure, particularly in the death overs — a skill that defined the latter part of his T20 career.

“Today, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket,” Mohit wrote. “From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing.”

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for December 15 in Abu Dhabi, Delhi Capitals released the seasoned pacer. In the previous season, Mohit featured in eight games, picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 10.28 — an uncharacteristic dip in form in an otherwise impressive late-career flourish.

Mohit’s journey included standout years with Chennai Super Kings, where he emerged as a consistent wicket-taker and grew into a dependable T20 bowler. His story remains one of grit, reinvention and resilience — a cricketer who made the most of every opportunity and left a notable imprint on India’s limited-overs cricket.

International

Japan Tops 95,000 Centenarians Amid Growing Demographic Crisis

Tanisha Cardozo

Japan has reached a new milestone in longevity, with over 95,119 people aged 100 or older, nearly 90% of whom are women, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on September 1, 2024. This figure marks an increase of 2,980 centenarians from the previous year and highlights the rapid pace of aging in the nation.

The number of elderly (aged 65 and above) also hit a record 36.25 million, now accounting for 29.3% of the population. These trends place Japan firmly at the top among countries with more than 100,000 citizens in terms of elderly population proportion. Meanwhile, Japan’s total population continues to decline, now standing at 124 million—down 595,000 from the previous year—due to low birth rates and high longevity.

A Looming Economic Concern

The increasing number of elderly citizens is placing unprecedented pressure on Japan’s social welfare and healthcare systems. The shrinking labor force is struggling to support the growing retired population, leading to concerns over long-term economic sustainability.

To combat the demographic imbalance, the Japanese government has implemented measures such as raising the retirement age. Starting fiscal year 2025, the standard retirement age will officially be 65 for all employers. However, experts note that these efforts have so far had limited impact on reversing the decline.

Why It Matters

Japan’s demographic dilemma is a warning for other aging nations. As countries across Europe and Asia begin to experience similar trends, Japan offers a live case study of the challenges and potential solutions facing aging societies worldwide.

Will policy changes come fast enough to support Japan’s aging population, or will economic and social pressures continue to mount? The answer may shape the global conversation on aging and sustainability.

Sports

Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, India Scrambles for New Captain

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In a shocking move, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. This decision comes as a surprise to many, given Sharma’s pivotal role in the team and his impressive career spanning over a decade. Sharma will, however, continue to lead India in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

A Legendary Career

Rohit Sharma’s Test career has been nothing short of remarkable. He played 67 Tests for India, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. Sharma’s leadership skills were also evident, with India winning 9 out of 14 Tests under his captaincy.

New Captain Needed

With India’s five-Test series against England scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to name a new full-time Test captain almost immediately after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Potential candidates for the role include ¹ ²:

  • Jasprit Bumrah: The pace spearhead has already captained the team in a couple of Tests during the tour of Australia and is known for his leadership skills.
  • KL Rahul: A seasoned player with captaincy experience, Rahul could be a strong contender for the role.
  • Shubman Gill: The young and talented batsman has been making waves in the cricket world and might be considered for the captaincy.
  • Rishabh Pant: The wicket-keeper batsman has shown exceptional leadership skills and could be another potential candidate.

Impact on Indian Cricket

Sharma’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. His contributions to the team will be deeply missed, especially in the Test format. However, this also presents an opportunity for new talent to emerge and for the team to evolve. The BCCI will have to carefully consider the options and choose a captain who can lead the team to success in the upcoming series against England.

Reaction from Fellow Cricketers

Sharma’s teammates and fellow cricketers have paid tribute to his illustrious career. Rishabh Pant, in a heartfelt message on Instagram, said, “Your presence and impact will echo in that dressing room forever. Much love, @rohitsharma45 bhai.” Other notable reactions include ¹:

  • Amit Mishra: Congratulated Sharma on a “legendary Test career” and wished him well for his ODI journey.
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal: Shared a heartfelt message, saying, “Rohit bhai, sharing the crease with you in whites was nothing less than a blessing.”
  • Mayank Agarwal: Expressed his gratitude for the memories shared with Sharma, saying, “Glad to have shared memories with you @rohitsharma45.”

As the cricket world reacts to Sharma’s retirement, one thing is certain – his legacy will continue to inspire and influence the sport for years to come.