Mitchell Johnson, the legendary Aussie pacer, put an end to his cricketing career on Sunday (August 19), formally announcing his exit from all forms of the game.
The left-arm pacer had retired from international cricket in 2015, but continued to play in the Indian Premier League (for Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and for Kolkata Knight Riders this season) and Australia's Big Bash League (for Perth Scorchers) until this year.
Johnson was bought by KKR for Rs. 2 Cr. in the auction earlier this year, and went on to play six matches for us in the IPL this year. With a number of young fast bowlers like Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna in the side, Johnson's role as the senior pro was also a crucial one, where he shared his experience to help these bowlers prepare for their career in the sport.
"It was great to have the opportunity to play for KKR," Johnson told Knight Club. "Kolkata is such a nice city to visit. It was so new to me, because in the past, I have played for other sides, but not Kolkata. And KKR is seen as one of the big sides in the IPL. Brett Lee played there as an international player, Jacques Kallis, who is now the coach, him too. Robin Uthappa, who I have played against internationally, Dinesh Karthik was in Mumbai Indians with me and now he is leading Kolkata. Lots of young guys too, Shubman Gill, then the quick fellow (Shivam) Mavi. So there are many talented guys in there. The franchise took great care of us as well, it was a pleasure to meet King Khan. It would have been nice to get to the finals, and play a few more games, from the personal point of view, but I was able to be there and bring my experience into the side, which was exciting."