Gokul Sharna announces retirement from cricket

Online Staff/GUWAHATI, Jan 16: Veteran batter Gokul Sharma, who spent almost 20 years playing first-class cricket for Assam, announced his retirement on Monday. The announcement came after the end of the Ranji Trophy tie between Assam and Kerala which ended in the city on Monday as a draw.
The highest run scorer for Assam in first class cricket, Gokul talking to krirangn.com said, "I was planning to quit cricket before the start of the season, and I discussed the matter with my family members and well-wishers as well. Once I was selected in the squad for the second game of the season I decided that it was the right time to hang my boots.”
Gokul, who is now 38 years old, made his first-class debut in Guwahati against Tamil Nadu in 2004 under the captainship of Zakaria Zuffri. The batter altogether played 85 first class matches and scored 4200 runs and also picked up 22 wickets. He scored eight centuries during his 20 years career and last one came in the last season in Guwahati against Delhi.
Gokul also turned up for Assam in Vijay Hazare Cricket (65 matches, 1152 runs, 34 wickets) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Cricket (24 matches, 150 runs, 12 wickets).
Talking about his future plan Gokul said, “I shall take a rest for a few days, and thereafter I shall try to come in as a coach or may join as a match official.”