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Bombay bowler Kuruvilla retires

Former India medium-pacer Abey Kuruvilla announced his retirement from first-class cricket on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede Stadium in Bombay today.

Kuruvilla (31), who made his first-class debut in that memorable Ranji final in 1991, when Bombay lost in the last over to Haryana with skipper Dilip Vengsarkar making a great hundred and Kuruvilla getting run out, will be leaving the game on a high note with Bombay poised to win back the trophy.

The tall and well-built Kuruvilla played for India in 10 Tests and 25 one-day internationals between 1994 and 1997, taking 25 wickets in each version.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the day's play, Kuruvilla used the opportunity to thank all his captains, especially Sanjay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar, as well as his colleagues and the media.

Asked whether there was any specific reason for his retirement, Kuruvilla said, "I had decided at the beginning of the season itself that this would be my last season. A lot of young boys are coming up and I have to make room for them, there is no specific reason." Kuruvilla, however, said he would continue to play for his company.

UNI