My best moment from Indian cricket was receiving test cap from MS Dhoni – Stuart Binny

Former India cricketer Stuart Binny feels that his best moment of Indian cricket was receiving a test cap from MS Dhoni ahead of the 2014 Trent Bridge Test. The sensational all-rounder announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

 Stuart Binny played six Tests, 14 ODIs, and three T20Is for the national side. His limelight moments were the 78 on Test debut and his 6 for 4 against Bangladesh, which remains the best Indian bowling figure in ODIs. He was also a part of India’s 2015 World Cup campaign but didn’t get an opportunity to play a game.

In an interview with Asianet Newsable, the 37-year-old recalled his best moment as an Indian cricketer and the advice he received from his captain MS Dhoni.

Stuart Binny said,

I think my best moment from Indian cricket is when I received my Test cap from MS Dhoni at Nottingham. That’s the moment which I would cherish the most.

He [MS Dhoni] told me that I had deserved this opportunity and that I had performed consistently well in the Ranji Trophy for three-four seasons. And obviously, if you can do it in the Ranji Trophy, it is just a matter of believing that I could do well in Test cricket as well. He also assured me that I had the full support of the Indian team, and he wanted me to go out and express myself.

In spite of having a good start to his career, Binny failed to remain consistent. He scored 194 runs at an average of 21.55 and picked up three wickets at an average of 86. He was more successful as an ODI cricketer, claiming 20 wickets at 21.95 and scoring 230 runs at almost 30, striking at over 93.

The irregularity of domestic cricket due to the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the reasons for Binny’s retirement. He elaborated, “I think I have reached a stage where cricket has become difficult for me because of the pandemic. First and foremost, there was not enough cricket played in the last two years. And, to be a professional cricketer, you need to be playing cricket continuously and also practice regularly.“

Furthermore, he said, “Also, it is difficult to carry on as a cricketer if you are only practicing and not getting game time. Thus, I felt that my best years had passed as a professional, and I also did not want to continue just because I loved playing it. I depended heavily on my performances as well, and I felt that it was the right time to make that decision (to retire)”.

Stuart Binny revealed that he plans to focus ahead on coaching since he is a level 2 coach at the NCA( National Cricket Academy).