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India women’s left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket, explaining it as the ‘greatest honour’ to have represented the country at the highest level.

The 37-year-old made her international debut in 2008 and went on to play 50 ODIs and 37 T20Is before her last international appearance in April 2014.

Her last appearance for the country came during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2014 against Pakistan.

The Hyderabad-born cricketer played in two ODI World Cups in 2009 and 2013 and picked 12 wickets in 11 matches. She also featured in three T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2014 and claimed seven wickets, and is currently working as a BCCI level 2 coach.

“After years of wearing the Indian jersey with pride, passion, and purpose – the time has come to pen down the most emotional note of my cricketing journey. With a heart full of memories and eyes welled with gratitude, I announce my retirement from all forms of the game,” said Gouher Sultana.

From the dusty bylanes of Hyderabad to the grand stages of world cricket, this journey has been nothing short of a dream – one etched with sweat, sacrifice, and countless hours of silent grind.

“To have represented India at the highest level – in World Cups, tours and battles that tested both skill and spirit – has been the greatest honour of my life. Every wicket taken, every dive in the field, every huddle with my teammates has shaped the cricketer and the person I am today,” she added.

There were days of triumph and nights of introspection. Injuries, comebacks, heartbreaks and high-fives – the game gave me everything. And now, as I step away from this cherished chapter, I do so with no regrets, only overwhelming gratitude,” added Sultana.

To my teammates – thank you for the camaraderie and the countless shared battles. To the coaches, selectors, support staff, and administrators who believed in me-thank you for giving wings to my ambition,” she further added.

To my mother and sister-you were my anchor, my storm, and my calm. Cricket will always be home. Though the curtain falls on my career as a player, my love for the game burns brighter than ever. I look forward to contributing to the sport in newer ways to inspire, guide, and serve the game that made me who I am.

This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of a golden chapter,” concluded Gouher Sultana.

Gouher Sultana has scalped 66 wickets from 50 ODIs at an average of 19.39 with three four-wicket hauls to her name, with best figures of 4/4. She scalped 29 wickets from 37 matches at an average of 26.27 with a best figures of 3/17.

She recently also featured in the Women’s Premier League (2024 and 2025) seasons, playing for UP Warriorz. She finally called up her retirement through an instagram post, where she called playing for India the greates honour in her life.