Many legendary Indian cricketers have bid farewell to the game without receiving a proper send-off, despite their immense contributions to Indian cricket. A farewell match is a way for fans, teammates, and the cricketing fraternity to honor a player’s legacy, allowing them to step away from the game with the recognition they deserve. However, several Indian superstars retired quietly, without the grand farewell that their careers merited. Here are five players who deserved a farewell match in Test cricket:
1. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was one of the most explosive openers in cricket history, redefining Test batting with his aggressive approach. He scored over 8,500 runs in Test cricket, including two triple centuries, a feat achieved by only a handful of players. Despite his remarkable achievements, Sehwag retired without a farewell match, leaving fans disappointed.
2. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir played a crucial role in India’s victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. His contributions in Test cricket were equally significant, with over 4,000 runs to his name. Gambhir waited for two years, hoping for a farewell match, but never received one, ultimately retiring in 2018.
3. Rahul Dravid
Known as “The Wall,” Rahul Dravid was one of India’s finest Test batsmen, accumulating over 13,000 runs in the format. His sudden retirement in 2012 meant that he never got a farewell match, despite his immense contributions to Indian cricket. His quiet exit left fans longing for a proper send-off.
4. MS Dhoni
India’s most successful Test captain, MS Dhoni, led the team to historic victories, including the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket. However, he retired abruptly from the format in 2014, without a farewell match. Given his leadership and impact on Indian cricket, a farewell match would have been a fitting tribute.
5. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh was a hero of India’s 2011 World Cup win and played several crucial innings in Test cricket. Despite his contributions, he retired without a farewell match, leaving fans disappointed. His battle with cancer and subsequent return to cricket made his journey even more inspiring, deserving a grand send-off.
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