Jeet Raval Retires As Fourth-Highest Plunket Shield Run-Scorer

Jeet Raval retires from professional cricket at 38. Northern Districts Cricket announced the decision on Friday. The left-handed opener played 24 Tests for New Zealand between 2016 and 2020. He finishes with 10,432 first-class runs from 164 matches. Only three men have scored more in the Plunket Shield.

A career built in the Plunket Shield

Raval debuted for Auckland in the 2008/09 season. He later played for Central Districts. He joined Northern Districts in 2020. The Plunket Shield is where the bulk of his runs sit. SportsTak placed him fourth on its all-time list, behind Michael Papps, Matthew Sinclair and Peter Fulton. Raval is also the 30th New Zealander to reach 10,000 first-class runs.

He was born in Ahmedabad and built his career in New Zealand. His highest first-class score was 256. SportsTak counted 24 first-class centuries and 196 catches.

His totals across the formats sit as follows.

• First-class: 164 matches, 10,432 runs, highest score 256
• Tests: 24 matches, 1,143 runs at 30.07, one century and seven fifties
• List A: 96 matches, 2,714 runs
• T20: 76 matches, 1,484 runs at a strike rate of 121.44

Twenty-four Tests and one hundred

Raval made his Test debut against Pakistan in November 2016. He opened throughout. SportsTak reported he made a half-century in the first innings on debut and an unbeaten 36 in the chase. His only Test century came against Bangladesh, a 132 that arrived after a long wait. He also made seven fifties.

His last Test was against Australia in January 2020. SportsTak reported he went 11 Test innings without a fifty before he was dropped. He took 21 catches in the format.

Raval and Sandbrook on the decision

Raval told the Northern Districts Cricket Association he was at ease with it. "It's with a great honour and a privilege that I made this decision," he said. "I feel at peace and very content." He also spoke about his father. "It wasn't just my dream, [but] also my father's dream as well," SportsTak quoted him as saying.

Ian Sandbrook put it plainly. He is the Northern Districts general manager of cricket. "From an ND perspective, Jeet has been the ultimate senior pro and leader since joining us," he said. "More than anything, though, Jeet is a great man."

Northern Districts lose their senior pro

Raval captained Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield and the Super Smash. SportsTak reported he led them to the 2024/25 Plunket Shield title, their first in more than a decade, and to Super Smash titles in 2021/22 and 2022/23. The NZCPA said he served on its board. SportsTak also reported that he now works as a chartered accountant.