Patwardhsn bows out of first-class cricket

Indore, May 20 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh's Ranji-level player Nikhil Patwardhan has announced his retirement from first-class cricket.

Born here on June 2, 1977, Patwardhan -- a Railway employee -- played his first Ranji encounter against Hyderabad at Bhilai in the late nineties. He played 36 Ranji matches for this state and remained unbeaten 11 times. Patwardhan's 57 innings packed in a couple of tons, his total was 1,704 and average 37.4. He represented Madhya Pradesh in 20 Ranji one-dayers.

Patwardhan credited his family and coach Sanjay Jagdale for his successful career. Recently, he cleared the BCCI's umpiring exam and was included in the Ranji panel. ''I will continue playing for Western Railway,'' he said.

UNI