Star Cricketer Retires from First-Class Cricket After 15-Year Career Without an India Debut
Sheldon Jackson, the accomplished Saurashtra batter, has announced his retirement from professional cricket, bringing an end to his 15-year first-class career. The 38-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday, confirming that the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarter-final was his final match.
Jackson’s last match concluded with Saurashtra’s defeat against Gujarat. He scored 14 runs in the first innings and 27 runs in the second. Following the match, the Saurashtra Cricket Association honored him with a commemorative shield in recognition of his contributions.
Over his career, Jackson played 105 first-class matches, amassing more than 7,200 runs at an impressive average of over 45. His record includes 21 centuries, 39 half-centuries, and a highest individual score of 186. Despite his remarkable statistics, he never received a call-up to the Indian national team.
Debuting for Saurashtra in 2011, Jackson remained a key player for the team over the years. He was a dependable batsman and fielder and also served as a wicketkeeper in limited-overs cricket. Last month, he had already announced his retirement from white-ball cricket.
In List A cricket, Jackson scored 2,792 runs in 84 innings, with nine centuries and 14 half-centuries. His IPL career, however, was brief—he played nine matches for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), managing just 61 runs.
