Veda Krishnamurthy: Announce Her Retirement From All Forms Of Cricket

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

When someone hangs up their boots, it’s usually a time to look back and applaud. But with Veda Krishnamurthy, it’s hard not to feel a bit emotional too. Her name might not always have been splashed across headlines like some of her teammates, but if you’ve followed women’s cricket over the past decade, you know the impact she had. And I’m writing this not just as a cricket lover, but as someone who genuinely admired her gutsy style and fearless spirit on the field.

The Making of a Fighter

Veda was only 18 when she made her debut for India back in 2011. That’s already impressive. But what stood out was the way she played — bold, attacking, never backing down. She wasn’t your textbook anchor. She was the one who walked in and turned games around when it seemed all hope was lost.

I still remember watching that semi-final of the 2017 World Cup against Australia. When Veda smashed 45 off just 34 balls, it wasn’t just a cameo — it was a statement. That knock gave us momentum, it gave us belief, and it reminded everyone watching that Indian women’s cricket had some serious firepower.

More Than Just Numbers

Cricket is a game of stats, yes — and Veda ends her career with over 1300 runs in ODIs, 400+ in T20Is, and a bunch of match-winning cameos. But she was more than her numbers. She was attitude. She was energy. She was someone who brought that Aussie-like aggression to our lineup — always chirping, always in the game, always backing her mates.

Even when she went through lean patches, or when she wasn’t always in the playing XI, she stayed grounded. That says a lot about her character.

Battling Off the Field

What made me admire her even more was her resilience beyond the boundary. Losing both her mother and sister to COVID-19 in the same year would break anyone. But Veda handled it with unimaginable strength. She didn’t just survive it — she spoke about it, raised awareness, and became a voice for so many dealing with grief.

That kind of courage? It’s rare.

Saying Goodbye, But Not Really

When Veda announced her retirement on July 24, 2025, it felt like the end of an era. But I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of her. Whether it’s mentoring young players, coaching, or just being around the game in some way — her cricketing brain and fighting spirit are too valuable to be lost.

Veda, thank you. For the sixes, for the celebrations, for the tears, and for being unapologetically YOU.

Here’s hoping the next generation of Indian cricketers takes a leaf out of your playbook — play hard, stay fearless, and always back yourself.