Farewell for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli approach the twilight of their illustrious careers, fans and cricket pundits are increasingly wondering whether they will receive the grand farewell that legends like Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed. With Shubman Gill taking over as India’s ODI captain and the BCCI focusing on the 2027 World Cup, questions about the futures of these two modern-day icons have intensified.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Enter Final Phase of Careers
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been pillars of Indian cricket for over a decade. Both have shattered records, led India to victories across formats, and become global cricketing icons. Yet, the cricketing world is aware that recent trends indicate senior players often retire quietly, without the ceremonial send-offs many fans hope for.
Why Some Legends Missed Their Farewell
Indian cricket has a history of legends leaving quietly. Political tensions, team transitions, and performance-based selection often mean that some of the country’s finest cricketers did not get an official farewell match. Farewells are sometimes overshadowed by team priorities or sudden retirements, leaving fans with mixed emotions.
11 Indian Cricket Legends Without a Proper Send-Off
Many renowned players concluded their careers without the farewell they deserved:
1. Sourav Ganguly
Despite being one of India’s most influential captains, Ganguly’s retirement was marred by selection controversies. His final Test series against Australia in 2008 did not carry the ceremonial weight his career warranted.
2. Rahul Dravid
Known as “The Wall,” Dravid retired in 2012 after a low-key announcement. Despite his immense contributions, he didn’t receive the kind of farewell series that his stature demanded.
3. VVS Laxman
The artist of many famous 4th-innings saves, Laxman suddenly retired just before the New Zealand series in 2012, denying fans a proper chance to say goodbye.
4. Anil Kumble
India’s greatest match-winner with the ball ended his career mid-series against Australia in 2008, after an injury. His farewell lacked the emotional send-off of a planned retirement.
5. Virender Sehwag
Sehwag’s explosive batting changed Indian cricket forever. Yet, he was dropped from the team and never made a comeback, announcing his retirement in 2015 without a farewell match.
6. Yuvraj Singh
The hero of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph retired in 2019 quietly. Despite his inspirational journey, he never got the farewell series fans wanted.
7. Gautam Gambhir
The man who played match-winning knocks in two World Cup finals retired in 2018 after years of being sidelined. He got one last Ranji match, but no international send-off.
8. Harbhajan Singh
India’s “Turbanator” took over 700 international wickets but bid goodbye with a quiet retirement announcement in 2021, without a farewell match.
9. Zaheer Khan
One of India’s greatest fast bowlers, Zaheer retired in 2015 without a final lap on the international stage. Injuries cut short what could have been a fitting farewell.
10. Suresh Raina
A fan-favourite and one of India’s finest finishers, Raina retired on the same day as MS Dhoni in 2020 but without a chance to play one final match.
11. MS Dhoni
Perhaps the biggest shock of all — Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket via an Instagram post in 2020, without any farewell match despite being India’s most successful captain.
Will Rohit and Kohli Join This List?
Fans are hopeful that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not follow the path of some of their predecessors. Given their contribution to Indian cricket, many believe a proper farewell — perhaps a dedicated series or ceremonial match — is long overdue.
The BCCI has the opportunity to honor these legends, but time is of the essence. With team transitions and upcoming tournaments, ensuring a memorable send-off requires careful planning.
What Fans and Experts Are Saying
Cricket experts emphasize that farewells are not just ceremonial; they are a recognition of players’ contribution to the sport and its culture. Social media buzz and fan campaigns show strong support for Rohit and Kohli to get the send-off they deserve.
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