Australian all-rounder Shane Watson announced on Thursday that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament in India.

"Watson, 34, shared his decision to call it quits with teammates in Mohali, where Australia take on Pakistan in a World T20 group match on Friday," Cricket Australia said.

Shane Watson who made his debut for Australia in 2002 said in a statement that,

“

It's been over the last week that it's really become clear that now really is the right time to retire from all international cricket.

”

Watson retired from Test cricket at the end of last year's Ashes in England and hasn't been a part of the Australian ODI squad since September.

Watson who was a part of the team led by Ponting, continued, "I really enjoyed my time being back in the Australian squad but, it is quite different, none of the other guys that I played with growing up are here anymore." 

Watson has been an integral part of the team with bat and ball, with the ability to win matches single-handedly.