MUMBAI: Former Test cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni, who shot into limelight by taking a wicket with the very first ball of his debut Test, on Wednesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
"I have a small announcement to make that I am retiring from international and first class cricket," Kulkarni said at a function.
He also announced the launch of Indian Institute of Sports Management, an institute to churn out trained and qualified professionals, in the city.
Kulkarni hit the headlines when he had Sri Lakan opener Marvan Atapattu caught behind with the very first ball of his debut during the 1997 Sri Lanka-India Test series, making him the 12th bowler in the world to have achieved the feat.
The 37-year lanky Mumbai player represented India in three Tests and 10 one-day internationals claiming two and 11 wickets respectively. Besides, he also played 101 first class matches, claiming 357 wickets.
IISM is a joint venture between Eduhub Education Pvt limited and GreCells Education Limited.
"IISM will offer diploma and post-graduate courses in various streams of sports management such as media, finance, branding and PR," Kulkarni said.
The institute will deliver education that would integrate the experience of the core faculty and industry professionals, he said.