End of an Era: 6 Indian Cricket Greats Who Chose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for Their Farewell
CricketPandit- Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly played his final match for India in the Nagpur Test of 2008. He had already announced before the series that this would be his farewell. It concluded on a positive note as India won the series 2-0.
- Anil Kumble
Kumble decided to retire during the third Test in Delhi in 2008. He had injured his finger and would be sidelined for six months, and at 38, the chances of a comeback were slim. The captain of India chose to end his career, and it was unexpected for everyone.
- VVS Laxman
Laxman returned after the whitewash in Australia in 2012 and announced his international retirement six months later. He didn’t play any matches in between since there were no Tests, and he wasn’t part of the limited-overs teams. Thus, the last Test in Adelaide in 2012 marked his final appearance.
- Rahul Dravid
Dravid also decided to retire after returning to India following a 4-0 loss in Australia in 2012. He made this announcement just over a month after his last game in Adelaide. It wasn’t the farewell fans had hoped for from ‘The Wall.’
- Virender Sehwag
Sehwag was dropped after the second Test in Hyderabad in 2013. He would never represent his country in any format again. In 2015, he officially announced his retirement from international cricket.
- MS Dhoni
“BCCI, while respecting MS Dhoni’s decision to retire from Test cricket, wishes to express gratitude for his significant contributions to the format and the honors he has brought to India. Virat Kohli will take over as captain for the fourth and final Test against Australia in Sydney,” the statement read. Dhoni scored an unbeaten 24 in the second innings.
- Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin’s last appearance for India was in the second Test in Adelaide in 2024, where the team suffered a heavy defeat. Following the next match in Brisbane, which he did not participate in, the veteran announced his retirement from international cricket.
