Simi Singh retires from professional cricket after Ireland career and liver transplant recovery

Simi Singh brings Ireland career to a close

Former Ireland international Simi Singh has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 39, ending a remarkable career that began after he moved from India to Ireland as a teenager.

Singh moved to Ireland in 2006, aged 19, and made his international debut against New Zealand in May 2017. He became the first India-born player to represent Ireland and went on to make 90 appearances for the national side between 2017 and 2022, according to the BBC. Other reports list his international record as 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is.

A record-breaking ODI century

A spin-bowling all-rounder, Singh made history when he scored an unbeaten century from number eight in Ireland's ODI against South Africa at Malahide in 2021. That achievement made him the first player to score an ODI century from that position and helped earn him selection in the 2021 ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year.

His strongest bowling figures came against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, where he claimed five wickets for 10 runs. The BBC records him finishing with 85 ODI wickets, including 39 in 34 matches, while Cricbuzz reports 83 wickets across his international career in the two formats.

Singh also featured in all four of Ireland's group-stage matches at the 2022 T20 World Cup. He added leg-spin to his bowling late in his career as he sought to extend his international playing days.

Recovery after serious illness

Singh stepped away from cricket after becoming seriously ill in 2024 and undergoing a successful liver transplant. Following a lengthy recovery, he is now reported to be in good health and has formally brought his playing career to an end.

“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,” Singh said.

“I'm incredibly grateful to Ireland and to everyone who supported, believed in, and helped me along the way. None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my family, who stood by me through every step of the journey.”

Wilson praises Singh's contribution

Ireland head coach Gary Wilson, who played alongside Singh, said the all-rounder had made the most of his opportunity after earning his first cap later in his career.

“When you look back at the sacrifices Simi made in chasing his dream, you can only but admire the career he made for himself in Ireland,” Wilson said. “Playing with Simi many times over those years it was clear what playing for Ireland meant to him.”

Wilson added that the team had been shocked by Singh's illness and his fight for life, but was pleased he was now looking forward to the next stage of his life. He said Singh could be proud of his role in Irish cricket and would be warmly welcomed back by the senior squad.

Singh thanked Ireland, his family, former mentors Alan Lewis and Graham Ford, and the wider Irish cricket community. “Ireland will always have a special place in my heart,” he said. “I'll forever be a proud supporter of Irish cricket.”