Some of India’s greatest cricketers never got the farewell match they deserved, despite all they did for the sport. These players gave their best on the field and became legends, but their careers ended quietly without a final game to say goodbye. Let’s look at eight cricketing stars who didn’t get a proper farewell match.
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, widely known as MSD, retired from Test cricket in 2014 but continued playing in limited-overs formats until 2019.
He revealed that the emotional weight of a significant loss played a big role in his decision to retire from international cricket. When he officially announced his retirement on August 15, 2020, it led to a wave of heartfelt responses from fans who were deeply moved by the news.
Although Dhoni has stayed active in the IPL, it remains unclear whether he will continue playing in the league beyond 2025.
2. Yuvraj Singh
Having last played for India in June 2017, against the West Indies, his return to domestic cricket and the IPL was blocked by the BCCI due to his participation in other leagues.
On June 10, 2019, Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Although Yuvraj had memorable moments, including playing over 400 games for India, he did not get a proper farewell match.
His retirement marked the end of an era, leaving fans and the cricketing world to reflect on his significant contributions without the chance for a formal goodbye.
Yuvraj Singh is rumored to be joining the Delhi Capitals as a coach. If this happens, the former Indian cricket star will use his vast experience and knowledge to help the team.
3. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag had reestablished himself as one of the top ODI batsmen On June 10, 2019, Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
However, he retired from all forms of international cricket on October 20, 2015.
His performance had dropped over time, and concerns about his fitness and form led to his removal from the Indian team in 2013.
Although he had a significant impact on Indian cricket and many memorable moments, Sehwag did not get a formal goodbye. Many fans and cricket experts felt he deserved a better farewell for his contributions, making his simple exit from the sport a topic of disappointment.
4. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir, a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders, made the announcement through a video on social media, revealing that the decision came after struggling with persistent criticism and challenging performances. retired from cricket in 2019.
Gambhir had faced a series of tough times, including a difficult 2014 IPL season and a disappointing tour to England the same year.
Despite his significant contributions to the game, Gambhir did not get a formal farewell, and his departure from the sport was marked by a sense of unresolved struggle and personal reflection Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team across all formats, previously made headlines as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Under his guidance, the team secured the IPL title in 2024.
5. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina had withdrawn from the 2020 IPL to be with his family after a tragic incident where his relatives were killed in Punjab. On August 15, 2020, Suresh Raina announced his retirement from international cricket.
Raina later extended his retirement to include all forms of cricket, including the IPL and domestic matches, on September 6, 2022.
Despite being out of favor with the Indian team since 2018, his departure was marked by a lack of formal farewell, leaving many fans and cricket lovers feeling that he deserved a more emotional and fitting goodbye for his contributions to the sport.
6. Shikar Dhawan
Dhawan is one of the Indian cricket legends who, despite his remarkable career, did not receive a formal farewell.
In a heartfelt social media post on August 24, 2024, Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, reflecting on his journey with deep gratitude.
He expressed his appreciation for having lived his dream of playing for India and acknowledged the support of his family, childhood coaches, and teammates, whom he regards as his second family.
Dhawan’s retirement sheds light on a common theme in cricket, where many great players leave the sport without the grand send-off they deserve.
While he looks forward to new beginnings and feels at peace with his decision, his departure highlights the reality that cricket legends often exit quietly, leaving fans to remember their achievements without a fitting final tribute.
7. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, a renowned off-spinner, has not played for the Indian team since the 2016 World T20, making a national comeback seem unlikely.
December 24, 2021 Harbhajan Singh announces retirement from all forms of cricket In 2020, Harbhajan withdrew from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for personal reasons, following a similar decision by Suresh Raina.
His departure from the IPL and the national team happened without a formal farewell, highlighting a common issue among cricket legends who often leave the sport without the grand send-off they deserve.
8. Rahul Dravid
After a surprising recall for the ODI series against England, Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from both ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
By March 2012, he had also retired from international and first-class cricket. Dravid went on to lead the Rajasthan Royals as captain in the 2012 Indian Premier League.
His tenure as India’s head coach ended with the team’s downfall in the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. Jay Shah later shared that Dravid decided to step down from the head coach position due to family commitments.
