Bangalore: PV Shashikanth, who lent grace and strength to the the Karnataka batting for eight years, announced his retirement from first class cricket here today.

Shashikanth, 33, had also led a depleted Karnataka team to victory over Rest of India in the Irani Trophy tie in 1996-97. He also led Karnataka to victory against Sachin Tendulkar's Sun Grace XI in the Moin-Ud- Dowlah Gold Cup tournament in Hyderabad in 1994.

Shashikanth made his Ranji Trophy debut against Andhra at Bidar in 1988-89. In 49 matches (77 innings) he scored 2300 runs at an average of 31.94 with a highest score of 160 against Andhra at Davangere in 1990-91. He hit four hundreds and 13 half centuries and took 47 catches. He also captained Karnataka in four matches. An employee with Vijaya Bank, Shashikanth also represented Karnataka against the South African team at Kochi in 1996-97.

Eager to give back something to the game, Shashikanth offered his services to the Karnataka State Cricket Association so that he could serve cricket in whatever capacity the KSCA deemed fit.