It hurts to see our favourite cricketer or athlete bid farewell to the sport that they loved the most, it hurts even more when they don’t even get their farewell match.
A farewell game honours their years of commitment and brilliance and gives supporters and other players a chance to recognize and celebrate what they’ve accomplished. But not everyone has the same fate, as some of our favourite cricketers have retired without playing their last or farewell game.
From some of the most loved and respected players like MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid to the players who changed the face of the game for their countries like Daniel Vettori, several cricketers bid farewell to the game without getting to play a farewell match. Even in virtual spaces like online gaming, the legends of sports continue to inspire individuals who are interested in honouring them.
Here, in this article, we bring you a list of legendary cricketers who deserved a farewell match.
Check out the list of legendary cricketers who deserved a farewell match:
Rahul Dravid:
Rahul Dravid, who is fondly called “The Wall”, was the pillar of strength for the Indian cricket team for over a decade. Following India’s dismal tour of Australia in 2012, Rahul Dravid knew that the end was near as he didn’t have a good Test series.
Considering the age factor and his form at that time, Rahul Dravid very unselfishly called a press conference and announced his retirement from the game for good. No grand exit from the game he loved the most, no farewell match, just a simple press conference where he made the announcement.
MS Dhoni:
Just like Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni also chose a very simple way of bidding farewell to the game. The sight of MS Dhoni walking back in tears following his run-out in the World Cup 2019 semifinal is still fresh in the minds of his loyal fans.
While many suspected that Dhoni would soon announce his retirement, no one was prepared for it. After taking a long break from cricket, on August 15th, 2020, MS Dhoni left his fans heartbroken after he announced his decision to retire from the game via an emotional Instagram post.
Daniel Vettori:
The legendary cricketer, Daniel Vettori was the face of the New Zealand cricket team in the 2000s. He was a force to reckon. He was the brain behind the team, always analyzing the best for himself and his team and playing accordingly.
In 2015, Vettori decided to bid goodbye to the game following Kiwi’s disappointing performance at the ODI World Cup, where the team witnessed a batting collapse. The infamous final match turned out to be Daniel Vettori’s last match.
Wasim Akram:
The King of reverse swing, Wasim Akram, is the first name that comes to mind. The former captain of the Pakistan cricket team is hailed as one of the all-time greats. Wasim Akram’s last Test match was cancelled, which left his fans disappointed as they didn’t get to see him in action for one last time.
AB de Villiers:
AB de Villiers is regarded as one of the most versatile and skilled batters in the world of cricket. Throughout his career, he came to South Africa and RCB’s rescue during tough times. Many believe that legendary players deserve to continue playing for South Africa for a few more years.
His final appearance in the ODI format came at SuperSport Park in 2018 against India, which also marked the end of his glorious career. Fans would have loved to watch him smash some iconic shots for the one last time in his farewell match.
Shikhar Dhawan:
Indian cricket star Shikhar Dhawan recently left his fans disappointed after he announced his retirement from international cricket on August 24, 2024.
The star cricketer announced the news of his retirement via an official social media post. Shikhar Dhawan was last seen in action during the IPL 2024 for Punjab Kings, ever since then, he has been out of action.
Suresh Raina:
Hailed as one of the best fielders and one of the best finishers for the Indian cricket team, Suresh Raina went missing from action after the tour of England in 2018. In 2020, after MS Dhoni’s retirement, Suresh Raina declared that he was also done with cricket. However, that wasn’t the way his fans wanted him to retire.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
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The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
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Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
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