A beloved cricketer ending his playing career and retiring is one of the most emotional moments in the game. Players give the majority of their lives to the sport, becoming the best in what they do and earning love from their peers and fans alike.
For the fans, it is a huge emotional moment to see their beloved and favourite cricketer leaving the field forever and leaving them with only memories and inspiration. These retirements serve as a reminder that sports are about more than simply wins and records, from heartfelt farewells to sad speeches. Hence, today, we take a look at 5 such retirement farewells that made the fans cry.
Here are the 5 retirement farewells that made fans cry:
5. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum, the legendary New Zealand captain, has had an amazing career for his team. Making his debut in 2002, McCullum rose from being a keeper-batter to a trailblazer in all formats of the game. He is the first New Zealander to score a triple ton in Tests, scoring 302 against India. He finished with 6453 runs in 101 Tests, 6083 runs in 260 ODIs, and 2140 runs in 71 T20Is, with a cumulative 19 centuries.
He retired from the game in 2015, playing his final Test against Australia in 2015 at home in Christchurch. He retired on a high, slamming the fastest Test century in 54 balls in his final Test, and as he bid farewell after the game, the whole crowd present at the venue gave him a tearful send-off.
4. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is a bona fide legend of Sri Lankan cricket and someone who has inspired a host of cricketers to take up the sport in the country. Sangakkara had made his international debut in 2000 and went on to play 134 Tests, scoring 12400 runs, 14234 runs in 404 ODIs, and 1382 runs in 56 T20Is for Sri Lanka, scoring 63 international tons.
Sangakkara played his final Test in 2015 against India at his home ground of SSC in Colombo and scored 32 and 18 runs. After being dismissed in his final innings, Sangakkara received a warm and tearful farewell from his teammates, the Indian team, his wife and family, and the fans who had gathered at the ground to see him play.
3. Inzamam Ul Haq
Inzamam Ul Haq is a legendary Pakistani batter and captain who is known for his brilliant batting technique, warm nature, and huge build. He had a legendary career for Pakistan, making his debut in 1991 and winning the 1992 World Cup with the Men in Green side. He played 120 Tests, scoring 8830 runs, and 11,739 runs in 378 ODIs, with a total century count of 35.
Inzamam Ul Haq retired from the game in October 2007, but his last ODI came in March 2007 in the World Cup that year. Pakistan failed to go past the group stage, losing to Ireland on the way. The last moments of Inzamam’s career in ODIs saw him crying on his way off the field after his dismissal, with fans and teams applauding the great man.
2. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath
Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, two legendary Australian bowlers, called time on their careers after the Australia v England Sydney Test in 2007. Warne had already retired from ODIs in 2005, and McGrath would follow suit after Australia won the 2007 World Cup. Warne retired with a then-record 708 Test wickets in 145 games and 293 wickets in 194 ODIs. McGrath, on the other hand, retired with 563 wickets in 124 Tests and 381 scalps in 250 ODIs. He also took 5 wickets in 4 T20Is he played.
Warne and McGrath had announced that the 2007 Ashes series at home would be their last for Australia and took 23 and 21 wickets, respectively, as Australia pocketed the Ashes; they had lost in 2005 in England. It was a fitting farewell for both Warne and McGrath as fans gave them a teary send-off. Unfortunately, Shane Warne passed away in 2022 at the age of 52.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar had finally decided to call time on his 24-year-old international career. He had made his debut at 16 years old in 1989 and went on to play 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and one T20I. He holds the record for most runs in Tests—15921—and ODIs—18426—and remains the only batter to hit 100 centuries in international cricket, with 51 Test tons and 49 ODI centuries.
BCCI had arranged a farewell series for Tendulkar, with him playing his final and a record 200th Test at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. He scored a fifty in his final innings and received a tearful farewell from his family, friends, and teammates. He gave an emotional speech after the match, with tears in his eyes and the eyes of every fan who shouted “Sachin, Sachin” whenever he batted for India.
