Former New Zealand opener Jeet Raval retires from all cricket at 38

Former New Zealand opening batter Jeet Raval has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 38-year-old, who is of Indian origin, played 24 Tests for New Zealand between 2016 and 2020. He had not returned to the national side since 2020, and after six years away from it he has finally decided to retire.

Raval made the announcement ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season. Informing Northern Districts Cricket Association of his decision, he said he felt immensely proud as he made it. "I am completely happy and content with my decision. Playing for New Zealand was my dream since childhood, and I look back on those days with great pride. It was not only my dream but also my father's. My father saw hope for a better future in New Zealand and settled the whole family there so that I could fulfil my dream of becoming a cricketer."

Raval was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in September 1988. He studied at Vidyanagar School, where as a boy he opened the batting with Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel. He also played for Gujarat's Under-15 and Under-17 teams. In 2004, at the age of 16, he moved with his family to Auckland, New Zealand.

In domestic cricket, Raval was counted among New Zealand's most successful openers. In his first-class career he played 164 matches and scored 10,432 runs at an average of 37.66, including 24 centuries and 50 half-centuries. He scored 8,662 runs in the Plunket Shield, one of New Zealand's major domestic competitions.

At the international level, Raval played 24 Tests for New Zealand. In 39 innings he scored 1,143 runs, including one century and seven half-centuries. His last Test was against Australia in Perth in January 2020. After a first-class career of about 18 years, he has now announced his retirement from professional cricket.