Former India leg-spinner Karn Sharma has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 38-year-old represented India in one Test, two ODI’s and one T20I’s and his last appearance came in November 2014.

“My station has arrived, I am already 38 and I feel there is no point in playing anymore. The more I play, I will occupy the place of a young player in the team. There is no point in staying in playing when you know that India call will never come. So I spoke to my family and friends and they said, it’s the right time,” Sharma told .

Sharma played his lone Test in Australia in Adelaide in 2014 and later with spinners like R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja cementing their place in the Test side, he never got a second chance. He is more than happy with what he achieved in his life. He played more than 90 IPL games for Royal Challengers of Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings and was part of four IPL winning teams.

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“God gave me everything which I never dreamt of. When I began to play cricket, my dream was always to play for India and play all three formats for the Indian team. There are very few players who play all three formats. I did all the hard work, gave all I had. Somewhere in destiny it was written that I will play these games and am happy. I want to thank everyone, my family, friends, coaches, trainers, various Ranji and IPL sides. Physios, trainers and groundsmen, all played a part in my career,” he added.

Sharma played more than two decades of First-Class cricket where he represented Uttar Pradesh, Railways, Vidarbha and Andhra.

He played 97 First-Class games and took 270 wickets in his long career. However, getting a Test cap will remain special till date. “Getting a Test cap remains a special place in my heart. It was the best day for sure. Playing for India and learning I got will hold a special place for sure. Everytime I played, I gave it all I had, I always tried to learn and improve. The time has come for me to say goodbye and sign off cap number 283,” he explains.

What will he do next? There is no immediate plan. “I don’t know, it will be hard to say at the moment but I want to give back to the game. If someone needs my help, I will be there. I will be going into my second innings of my life post retirement, will see what opportunities come my way,” he said.