UP pacer Ankit Rajpoot announces retirement at 31
New Delhi, Dec 16: Uttar Pradesh pacer Ankit Rajpoot on Monday announced his retirement from Indian cricket at 31 years of age, opening the prospect of a career in overseas T20 leagues.
Rajpoot, who represented Uttar Pradesh in the latest Ranji trophy season, made the announcement on social media.
"Today, with immense gratitude & humility, I announce my retirement from Indian cricket. My journey from 2009-2024 has been the most wonderful period of my life," he wrote on social media.
"I am grateful for the opportunities given to me by the Board of Control for India, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, Kanpur Cricket Association..."
Rajpoot also thanked the five IPL teams -- Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants -- he was part of.
Former India pacer Siddharth Kaul had also said goodbye to domestic cricket last month.
Like him, Rajpoot would be exploring opportunities in T20 leagues around the world.
An active BCCI cricketer is not allowed to take part in overseas leagues.
"I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket & the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in a new and different environment," Rajpoot posted.
"I believe that this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to this new chapter in my life. I wish the best of luck to all the teammates from the various teams I’ve been a part of," he added.
Rajpoot featured in 80 First Class games, 50 in List A and 87 in T20s, taking 248, 71 and 105 wickets respectively.
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India achieves major milestone in wind energy; capacity now 56 gigawatts: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): India has achieved a major milestone in wind energy, with the country's wind energy generation capacity exceeding 56 gigawatts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
In his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi also said the country must save electricity and adopt clean energy.
“India recently achieved a major milestone in wind energy. India's wind energy generation capacity has now exceeded 56 gigawatts. In just the past year, nearly 6 gigawatts of new capacity have been added,” he said.
Underlining that solar and wind energy are essential for India's development, Modi said, “It is not just about the environment; it is about securing our future, and we all have a role to play in it.”
On April 22, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, said that India has recorded its best-ever year in wind energy capacity addition, with a historic 6.1 GW added during 2025-26.
India currently ranks fourth globally in wind energy, with more than 56.1 GW installed capacity and an additional 28 GW under implementation.
Emphasising the vast untapped potential of the sector, Joshi highlighted that India's wind energy potential at 150 metres hub height is estimated at nearly 1,164 GW.
He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, the country will achieve 100 GW wind capacity by 2030 and 156 GW by 2036, contributing significantly to the net-zero target by 2070.
Joshi also underlined that wind energy plays a critical role in stabilising India's energy system, particularly due to its peak generation during evening and night hours, which aligns with high demand periods.
He noted that nearly 45 per cent of wind power generation occurs during peak demand hours, making it a vital complement to solar energy.
