Veteran India batter Veda Krishnamurthy has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career that spanned nearly a decade and a half. Known for her fearless batting, agility on the field, and relentless energy, Veda’s journey from a small town in Karnataka to the global cricketing stage has inspired countless aspiring players across India.
The 32-year-old confirmed her decision on July 25, 2025, through a heartfelt statement on her social media platforms. “From being a small-town girl with big dreams to wearing the India jersey with pride—this journey has been nothing short of a dream,” she wrote. “It’s now time to say goodbye to international cricket, but never to the game that made me who I am.”
Veda represented India in 124 international matches, comprising 48 One-Day Internationals and 76 T20 Internationals, between 2011 and 2020. She scored 1,704 runs across formats, including 829 runs in ODIs and 875 in T20Is. Her contributions were not only defined by numbers but by the crucial role she played in high-pressure matches, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
One of the most memorable highlights of her career came during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup. In the semi-final against Australia, Veda smashed a blistering 70 off just 45 balls, helping India post a formidable total and eventually securing a historic win that sent the team into the final. That knock is still remembered as one of the finest under pressure in Indian women’s cricket history.
Born in Kadur, Karnataka, Veda started playing cricket at the age of 13. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, she brought grace and athleticism to the field. Her professional journey began when she was selected for the Karnataka state team, and by age 18, she had earned her international debut. Over the years, she established herself as a reliable middle-order batter who could accelerate when required and anchor the innings during collapses.
Her aggressive strokeplay and fearless mindset often drew comparisons with modern-day finishers in men’s cricket. She was particularly effective in the T20 format, where her strike rate and ability to hit boundaries under pressure made her a valuable asset. While her international appearances became less frequent after 2020, she remained active in the domestic circuit and later played for the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League.
In her retirement note, Veda emphasized that while she’s stepping away from the international stage, she plans to remain connected to the sport. “Cricket has given me everything,” she said. “The time has come for me to give back—to share what I’ve learned with the next generation, to mentor, to teach, to contribute in ways beyond just playing.”
Tributes and messages poured in from teammates, coaches, fans, and cricketing bodies. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement thanking her for her contributions, calling her “a fierce competitor and an inspiring figure in the growth of women’s cricket in India.” Fellow cricketers like Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana also acknowledged Veda’s passion and influence on and off the field.
Her departure comes at a time of transition in Indian cricket. Earlier this year, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped down from Test cricket, and now Veda’s retirement marks another generational shift—this time in the women’s team. Her exit paves the way for newer faces to take responsibility in the middle order, but it also creates a void in experience and leadership that she consistently offered, even when not playing.
Throughout her career, Veda was known not just for her performances but for her resilience. In 2020, she suffered a personal tragedy when she lost her mother and sister to COVID-19 within weeks of each other. Her strength in returning to domestic cricket after such a loss drew widespread admiration. She became a symbol of courage, and her story was seen as a testimony to the grit and emotional strength required to succeed in professional sport.
Beyond cricket, Veda has actively spoken about mental health, gender equality in sports, and the need for better infrastructure for women athletes. She has often said that her ambition goes beyond runs and wickets—she wants to build a stronger ecosystem for women in cricket and sports at large. Her post-retirement plans may involve coaching, commentary, or administration, but they are expected to keep her deeply involved in the development of Indian cricket.
Veda’s retirement also invites reflection on the rapid growth of women’s cricket in India. When she debuted in 2011, the women’s game had limited visibility and support. Today, with the launch of the Women’s Premier League, increased media coverage, and improved pay structures, the landscape has changed. Players like Veda Krishnamurthy were part of the generation that bridged this transformation. They were pioneers in every sense—taking the field under floodlights, playing overseas leagues, and proving that Indian women’s cricket could command a global audience.
Even though her last international appearance came in 2020, her influence continued. She played leadership roles in state teams, mentored young players, and remained active in tournaments across the country. Her presence in the WPL added both experience and firepower to the Gujarat Giants’ lineup.
As she now steps away from the international spotlight, Veda leaves behind more than just a career record. She leaves behind a story—a journey of perseverance, personal loss, public pressure, and national pride. She leaves a generation of fans who remember her fierce batting style and her smile that rarely faded, even in the most intense moments.
Her retirement marks the end of a chapter but not the end of her cricketing legacy. “I’ll still be around—maybe not with the bat in hand, but always with the same love for the game,” she wrote in closing.
The Indian cricket community will surely be watching what Veda Krishnamurthy does next—and young players across the country will continue to draw inspiration from the path she carved with courage, charisma, and an unwavering spirit.
