Jeet Raval announces retirement after 18-year career

Former New Zealand opener Jeet Raval has announced his retirement from professional cricket ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season, ending a career that spanned nearly 18 years. The left-handed batter represented the Black Caps in 24 Test matches between 2016 and 2020, scoring 1,143 runs including one century and seven half-centuries.

Raval scored more than 10,000 first-class runs, including 23 centuries while opening the batting, and reached the milestone in December 2025 while captaining Northern Districts. He claimed 14 wickets at an average of 11.14 during Northern Districts' Plunket Shield title-winning campaign in 2024-25, including his maiden five-wicket haul. Raval made his first-class debut for Auckland in December 2008 after moving from Gujarat as a teenager.

Northern Districts general manager Ian Sandbrook described Raval as an outstanding senior professional and leader whose runs, wickets and calm leadership will be missed. Raval said he felt at peace with the decision and credited his father for helping him pursue his dream of playing for New Zealand. His final competitive appearance came against Central Districts in the Plunket Shield in March 2026.