Sheldon Jackson, the experienced Saurashtra batter, has announced his retirement from professional cricket following his team’s exit from the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. The decision came on February 11 after Saurashtra suffered a heavy defeat against Gujarat, losing by an innings and 98 runs in the quarterfinal at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Jackson, 38, had a challenging final season, managing scores of 14 and 27 in his last match. He retires with an impressive record of 7,283 runs in 106 first-class matches, averaging 45.80, with 21 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His cricketing journey began in 2011 against Railways, spanning over 14 years.
Sheldon Jackson Announces Retirement
Veteran Saurashtra batter Sheldon Jackson announced his retirement from professional cricket on Tuesday, bringing an end to his 15-year career. His final match saw Saurashtra suffer a quarterfinal defeat against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy.
The 38-year-old batsman leaves behind an impressive record, scoring over 7,200 runs in 105 first-class matches, with a highest score of 186. He registered 21 centuries and 39 half-centuries, maintaining a remarkable average of over 45, highlighting his consistency in red-ball cricket.
Beyond his batting prowess, Jackson was a versatile cricketer. Apart from being a dependable batsman and sharp fielder, he also took on wicketkeeping duties for Saurashtra in limited-overs tournaments.
Also Read: India vs England 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli Set for Comeback After Knee Concern
Sheldon Jackson’s Cricket Journey
Jackson first gained attention in the cricket world when former Bengal cricketer Joydeep Mukherjee spotted him. He later went on to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), further boosting his reputation.
One of his most notable seasons came during the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy. Jackson had a brilliant run, scoring four half-centuries (50s) and three centuries (100s). His performance in the quarter-finals and semi-finals was crucial, where he scored back-to-back centuries against Karnataka and Punjab. These knocks played a key role in helping Saurashtra reach their first-ever final in the history of the Ranji Trophy.
Earlier this year, Jackson decided to retire from limited-overs cricket. He made the decision during Saurashtra’s campaign in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a domestic 50-over tournament. His move to retire came after he was not selected for a single match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, a domestic T20 competition.
Reflecting on his decision, Jackson shared in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, “I had been thinking about retiring even before the tournament began. I took it one game at a time, but before the match against Punjab, I informed the team about my decision. They insisted I retire on the field, and it was a kind gesture that I truly appreciated.”
Over his career, Jackson played 86 List A (50-over) matches, scoring a total of 2,792 runs. In addition, he played 84 T20 matches and scored 1,812 runs. Across both formats, he scored 10 centuries and 25 half-centuries, making a significant contribution to his teams over the years.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Shatters Records with India’s Second-Fastest T20I Century
FAQs
Q.1. Why did Sheldon Jackson retire from professional cricket?
Ans. Jackson retired from cricket after Saurashtra’s exit from the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, marking the end of his 15-year career.
Q.2. What is Sheldon Jackson’s cricket record?
Ans. He scored over 7,200 runs in 106 first-class matches, with 21 centuries, 39 half-centuries, and an average of 45.80.
Q.3. When did Sheldon Jackson start his cricket career?
Ans. Jackson made his debut in 2011, playing against Railways in the Ranji Trophy.
Q.4. Did Sheldon Jackson play in the IPL?
Ans. Yes, Jackson played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Q.5. What was Jackson’s role in limited-overs cricket?
Ans. Besides being a dependable batsman, Jackson also served as a wicketkeeper for Saurashtra in limited-overs formats.
