Punam Raut has brought her international cricket career to a close, ending a journey that saw her represent India across all three formats and play a significant role in the team's run to the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup final.
The 37-year-old announced her retirement on October 15, 2026, through a social media post. Although she had not represented India since 2021, Raut leaves behind a record built on consistency, patience and several important contributions at the top of the order.
Raut made her international debut in 2009 and went on to play 112 matches for India across Tests, One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. Her career included some of the most memorable moments in Indian women's cricket during the period when the team began attracting greater attention on the global stage.
Punam Raut's International Career Record
Raut finished with 3,282 international runs, including four centuries. Her strongest numbers came in ODIs, where she established herself as a dependable top-order batter.
Format | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|
Tests | 4 | 264 |
ODIs | 73 | 2,299 |
T20Is | 35 | 719 |
Total | 112 | 3,282 |
In 73 ODIs, Raut averaged 34.83 and scored three centuries and 15 half-centuries. She also made a useful contribution in the longest format, scoring 264 runs in four Tests at an average of 44, including a century.
Her record reflects a batter who could occupy the crease and build an innings, particularly in the 50-over format.
The 2017 World Cup Remains a Career Highlight
The 2017 Women's ODI World Cup was one of the defining chapters of Raut's international career. She scored 381 runs during the tournament in England, helping India reach the final against the hosts.
At Lord's, Raut made 86 as India pursued England's target. India eventually fell nine runs short, missing out on the title in a tense finish. Despite the defeat, Raut's innings was an important part of India's campaign.
Earlier in the competition, she scored a century against Ireland and shared a 320-run opening partnership with Deepti Sharma. The stand highlighted her ability to combine patience with sustained scoring and remains one of the notable partnerships in women's ODI history.
India did not win the tournament, but the team's run to the final became an important moment in the growth of women's cricket in the country.
A Career That Spanned Three Formats
Raut's international career covered a period of change for Indian women's cricket. She played across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, adapting to different demands while contributing most extensively in the 50-over format.
Her final appearance for India came in 2021. While she did not return to the national side after that year, her performances during the 2017 World Cup continued to stand out among the highlights of her career.
In announcing her retirement, Raut described representing India as a great honour and thanked those who had supported her throughout her journey. She also acknowledged the Mumbai Cricket Association for its role in her development.
What Lies Ahead for Punam Raut?
Raut's retirement marks the end of her international playing career, but it does not necessarily mean a complete departure from cricket. She has expressed an interest in giving back to the sport, leaving open the possibility of contributing beyond her playing days.
Her next chapter may offer opportunities to share the experience gained through more than a decade in the game with younger players.
Raut leaves international cricket with 3,282 runs, four centuries and a place in India's 2017 World Cup story. Her 86 in the final and her record-breaking opening partnership with Deepti Sharma remain among the most memorable achievements of a career that helped shape an important period in Indian women's cricket.
