What Happened to Munaf Patel? Is Munaf Patel Retired?
by A Maria
Updated May 31, 2023
Who is Munaf Patel?
Munaf Patel, born on 12 July 1983, is a retired Indian cricketer who showcased his skills across all formats of the game. Besides representing the Indian national team, he also contributed his talents to the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy, as well as the domestic teams of Gujarat, Mumbai, and Maharashtra.
After a successful cricketing career, Munaf Patel made the decision to retire from the sport in November 2018. Hailing from Ikhar, Gujarat, India, he had his final appearance for the Indian team during the 2011 tour of England.
What Happened to Munaf Patel?
Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel made the announcement on Saturday that he is retiring from all forms of cricket, citing his age and declining fitness as reasons behind this decision. Munaf's last appearance for the Indian team was in a T20 international against England in September 2011.
Throughout his career, he represented India in 13 Test matches, 70 ODIs, and 3 T20Is, debuting in Mohali on March 9, 2006. Speaking to the Indian Express, Munaf expressed that he has no regrets about retiring, as most of the cricketers he played with have already retired, except for Dhoni.
Despite stepping away from the sport, Munaf will continue his involvement by participating in the upcoming T10 League in the UAE. He will be representing the Rajput franchise in the tournament, scheduled to take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from November 21 to December 2.
Munaf confessed that he still finds it hard to believe he is leaving cricket, as the sport is all he knows and understands. In his international career, Munaf took 35 wickets at an average of 38.54 in 13 Tests, with one four-wicket haul. In ODIs, he claimed 86 wickets at an average of 30.26 in 70 matches.
His T20I career concluded with 4 wickets. Explaining his decision, the 35-year-old mentioned that his age and declining fitness were contributing factors, and he believes it wouldn't be fair to hold on when there are talented youngsters waiting for opportunities.
He also expressed a lack of motivation, despite being part of the World Cup-winning team in 2011. Munaf played a crucial role in India's triumph and finished the tournament as the third-highest wicket-taker for the eventual champions, trailing behind Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh.
Reflecting on his life outside of cricket, Munaf revealed that if he hadn't pursued the sport, he would likely have been working as a laborer in a company in Africa, a path that many Gujaratis from his region take. He never anticipated playing cricket for such a long time.
Is Munaf Patel Retired?
Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel made an announcement regarding his retirement from all forms of cricket, attributing his decision to his age and declining fitness. Munaf's last appearance for the Indian team was in a T20 international against England in September 2011.
Throughout his career, he represented India in 13 Test matches, 70 ODIs, and 3 T20Is, debuting in Mohali on March 9, 2006. Despite retiring from professional cricket, Munaf expressed his continued involvement in the sport as he is set to participate in the upcoming T10 League in the UAE.
While Munaf bids farewell to international cricket, he will not be completely letting go of the game. His participation in the forthcoming T10 League demonstrates his desire to stay connected to cricket. The league is scheduled to take place in the UAE, where Munaf will be actively involved, showcasing his skills and experience. This decision highlights his ongoing passion and dedication to the sport, even after formally retiring from the highest level of competition.
Munaf Patel Career
Doorstep to the national team
In 2004, Munaf Patel faced challenges with injuries, and his struggles drew criticism from India A coach Sandeep Patil, who believed that Munaf had difficulty dealing with his physical setbacks. To improve his bowling action and enhance its efficiency, he was sent to the Australian Institute of Sport for bio-mechanical analysis. In August 2005, Munaf transferred to the Maharashtra cricket team.
His exceptional performance of taking 10 wickets against England in a tour match for the Board President's XI earned him a spot in the Indian Test Squad for the second Test against England in Mohali, where he made his Test debut. Munaf's debut was remarkable, recording figures of 7/97, including 4/25 in the second innings, showcasing his ability to swing the ball in both directions.
Early career
During the 2005–2006 Test Series against the West Indies, Munaf established himself as one of India's fastest bowlers, consistently bowling at speeds exceeding 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) and occasionally reaching speeds over 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).
What stood out even more than his pace was his control, a skill often lacking in Indian fast bowlers at the time. However, he faced a challenging moment in the West Indies when he was hit for six fours in an over by Ramnaresh Sarwan. Munaf narrowly missed the record for conceding the most runs in an over by just four runs.
In the DLF Cup in Malaysia, Munaf showcased his skills by taking figures of 3/54 against Australia, dismissing Phil Jaques, Michael Clarke, and Stuart Clark. In the final match of the tournament, he claimed the crucial wicket of Australian captain Ricky Ponting for just 4 runs, finishing with figures of 1/32 off 9 overs.
During the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy opener against England, Munaf Patel once again made a significant impact, recording figures of 3/18, leading India to victory and earning him the well-deserved Man of the Match award.
2007 World Cup
Munaf was included in the Indian squad for the 2007 World Cup, but unfortunately, the team did not progress beyond the group stage. He continued to play in India's One-day International series against Bangladesh shortly after the tournament but suffered a groin injury that forced him out of the remaining matches.
Although he was initially left out of the squad for the series against Pakistan in November, Munaf was later recalled to the Test squad due to injuries to R. P. Singh and S. Sreesanth.
2011 World Cup
Munaf was selected for the 2009 tour to Sri Lanka but had a relatively uneventful performance in the opening match. He picked up a groin injury before the second match and was subsequently replaced in the squad. However, he made a strong comeback during India's preparatory series in South Africa before the 2011 World Cup.
In the second match against South Africa, Munaf delivered a standout performance, taking career-best figures of 4/29 off nine overs, helping India secure a narrow 1-run victory.
He earned a spot in India's World Cup squad and made significant contributions, including taking four wickets in the opening match against Bangladesh. Munaf's catch off his own bowling to dismiss Kevin Pietersen in the match against England broke a crucial opening partnership, and he played an important role in India's semi-final victory against Pakistan. Munaf's final appearance for India came during the 2011 tour of England.
Munaf Patel Wife
In 2009, Munaf Patel and Taslima got engaged shortly before the commencement of the IPL season. After being engaged for a year, the couple exchanged their vows in a private ceremony in 2010. Munaf and Taslima are now delighted parents of a son, bringing joy and pride to their lives.
Munaf Patel and Taslima's engagement took place in 2009, just prior to the start of the IPL season. Following their year-long engagement, the couple celebrated their union in 2010 through an intimate and private wedding ceremony. Today, Munaf and Taslima find immense happiness and pride in their roles as parents to their beloved son, cherishing the special moments and experiences that come with raising a family.
Munaf Patel Height
Munaf Patel stands tall at a height of 6 feet 3 inches, showcasing his impressive stature on and off the cricket field. With his commanding presence, Munaf possesses a physical advantage that adds to his abilities as a fast bowler, allowing him to deliver formidable performances and make a significant impact in the game.
Munaf Patel Bio
Full name
Munaf Musa Patel
Born
12 July 1983 (age 39)
Ikhar, Gujarat, India
Height
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Batting
Right-handed
Bowling
Right arm medium|fast
Role
Bowler
What Happened to Munaf Patel - FAQs
Munaf Patel was born on 12 July 1983.
Munaf Patel played in all formats of the game, representing India in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals.
Munaf Patel also played for the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy and represented domestic teams such as Gujarat, Mumbai, and Maharashtra.
Munaf Patel retired from cricket in November 2018.
Munaf Patel hails from Ikhar, Gujarat, India.