Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar


Akin to his entire career, much has written and said about Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement – when it should happen, why it should happen and the like. Some critics felt Tendulkar had missed a cue and should have called it quits from ODI game after India’s 2011 World Cup victory, since he had nothing left to achieve in the 50 over format.

Tendulkar’s form dipped in both Tests and ODIs, with his solitary century of 2012 (the one that took him to his 100 hundreds landmark) coming in a losing cause against Bangladesh. On December 23rd, the day the selectors met to pick the Indian squad for the limited overs against Pakistan, Sachin decided his wonder years with the one day format were finally behind him.

His recent form notwithstanding, there is little doubt that Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was the best ODI cricketer the world has ever seen. 18,426 runs from 463 matches at an average of 44.83 with 49 centuries. Not to forget his useful bowling that earned him 154 wickets and the Indian team many breakthroughs. Stats aside, no other cricketer has captured the imagination quite like Tendulkar. His commanding presence at the crease inspired several generations and for that we will always remain indebted. 

VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman

Rumours of Laxman calling it a day began with the debacle in Australia. But after Dravid’s stepping down, the Hyderabadi batsman continued to do the club cricket rounds, training hard, well into the hot Indian summer. It was obvious that Laxman was confident of returning to form and keen to have another go in Tests.

With the team for the series at home against New Zealand to be picked, once again Laxman’s spot in the side was surrounded by speculation. Some media reports indicated that the selectors had spoken to VVS and assured him of a place in the side, provided he bid farewell after it. Though that was never proven, Laxman went on to surprise the cricket community and his fans alike. He announced his retirement with immediate effect, after he was picked in the side for the two-match Test series and just days before the first Test began. Laxman claimed he wanted to give youngsters the opportunity to play at home. In it he denied himself what was undoubtedly a huge temptation to play one last game in his home town.

The wristy stylist will always be remembered for several of his epic innings. Mohali, Adelaide, Sydney to name just a few. And above them all for his 281* at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in 2001 that scripted India’s most famous Test win and turnaround of recent decades. With his affinity for Aussie bowling attacks, the only ones heaving a sigh of relief are the boys from Down Under.

 

Rahul Dravid

 Rahul Dravid's Cricket Career

13288 Test runs, an average of over 52, 36 Test tons, 63 half centuries, 210 Test catches, 10889 ODI runs. Can Rahul Dravid’s career for India be summed up in figures?

Dravid retired as not only India’s but the world’s second highest run scorer in Tests (since taken over by Ricky Ponting). India however lost much more than a legendary batsman.

He was the man that stood tall amongst the ruins whenever a green top confronted India’s famed batting line-up. One of the rare cricketers whose away record was better than his statistics at home (and he was no pushover in Indian conditions), Dravid’s penchant for putting his hand up to be counted in difficult circumstances is now the stuff of folklore.

From makeshift wicketkeeper to emergency opener, Dravid was always ready to step in for the team cause. Often overshadowed by his more flamboyant teammates during his playing days, Dravid’s true value has been realised since his retirement by both the game’s fans and the cricket community alike.

More than the runs he scored or the matches he won, Dravid will be remembered for the way he played the sport. He showed that cricket can still be a gentleman’s game, and earned the respect of both his peers and opponents. When Rahul Dravid announced his retirement in March, Indian cricket lost one of their best players but without doubt their best man.

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