Abey Road’s first class end

MUMBAI, APRIL 22: Kerala-born Abey Kuruvilla, who took to cricket by chance and went on to represent India as a medium-pacer, has decided ...

MUMBAI, APRIL 22: Kerala-born Abey Kuruvilla, who took to cricket by chance and went on to represent India as a medium-pacer, has decided to call it quits after the ongoing Ranji Trophy final.

Kuruvilla, who made his Ranji debut against Haryana in the 1991-92 season said he was “happy to have made his debut in a Ranji final and to leave when Mumbai is to lift the trophy again.”

He thanked the MCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme, where he bloomed as a bowler under England’s Frank Tyson, Balwinder Sandhu, Kenia Jayantilal, Makarand Waingankar, Milind Rege and all the captains and colleagues he played with for their help.

Kuruvilla had a special mention for Sanjay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar who he said “helped him immensely in becoming a better cricketer.”

Kuruvilla represented Mumbai in 48 Ranji matches and has so far taken 194 wickets. He has a total of 290 wickets from 82 first-class games.

The soft-spoken, gentle-natured Kuruvilla made it to the Indian team in 1997 on the tour of West Indies and went on to play 10 Tests taking 25 wickets. He also took 25 wickets in the 25 One-Day Internationals he played for India.

Speaking about records he said, “I never played for milestones.”

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About getting the national colours he said, “I was fortunate to get a chance. I can’t complain.”

Kuruvilla, who has also done a course in coaching, will continue playing for his company and club and is to leave for England to honour his commitment with Southport Cricket Club.