Ireland’s Simi Singh retires from professional cricket

Simi Singh, the former Ireland Men’s spin-bowling allrounder, has retired from professional cricket, Cricket Ireland confirmed today. The 39-year-old, who made his debut at 30, finishes with 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is for Ireland and had a liver transplant in 2024.

Born in Bathlana, India, Singh moved to Ireland in 2006 aged 19 and made his debut against New Zealand in May 2017. Cricket Ireland describes him as the first Irish international of Indian origin.

In a statement released by the board, Singh looked back on the move.

I came to Ireland as a 19-year-old with a dream of playing international cricket, and looking back, the journey has been nothing short of surreal.

Simi Singh, former Ireland Men’s allrounder

His 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is span 2017 to 2022/23, and across the two formats he took 83 wickets. In T20Is he scored 296 runs and took 44 wickets, with a best of 3/9.

He played all four First Round group games at the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Hobart.

Two ODI performances that defined him

His ODI record stands at 593 runs at an average of 22.8 and 39 wickets, with a best of 100 not out and bowling figures of 5/10. Both bests came in 2021.

On 18 January 2021 in Abu Dhabi, he made 54 not out (57, 2, 2) as Ireland reached 228/6 (50 overs) against UAE. He then bowled 10-4-10-5 as UAE were dismissed for 116 all out (36 overs). Ireland won by 112 runs, and Singh was Player of the Match in a series that finished 1-1.

On 16 July 2021 at Malahide, in a World Cup Super League ODI against South Africa, he scored 100 not out (91, 14, 0) at No. 8. He shared a 100-run seventh-wicket stand with Curtis Campher, who made 54 off 54.

Ireland were dismissed for 276 all out (47.1 overs) chasing South Africa’s 346/4 (50 overs). South Africa won by 70 runs, and the series was drawn 1-1. Singh also bowled 10-0-52-1.

He was named in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2021.

Singh recovers from liver transplant

In 2024 Singh suffered acute liver failure and underwent a liver transplant. Cricket Ireland said he made a successful recovery.

Gary Wilson, the Ireland Men’s head coach, said Singh could be proud of the career he had and the role he played in Irish cricket. Wilson added that the senior squad would welcome him back warmly when next they see him.