Rahul Dravid
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.
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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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.
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.
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Brett Lee
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee had an injury-plagued career; but still finished as his country's fourth-most successful bowler, with 310 wickets in 76 Test matches. One of Australia's most fearsome fast bowlers, Lee retired from Tests in February 2010, although he played on in one-day and Twenty20 cricket thereafter.
At his best, Lee was one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket apart from being a useful lower-order batsman. Lee has captured 380 wickets in 220 ODIs and 28 wickets in 25 T20 internationals.
On 13th July 2012, ‘Binga’ as he is popularly known, retired from all forms of international cricket after a calf injury cut short his tour of England with Australia’s One-Day International team.
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee had an injury-plagued career; but still finished as his country's fourth-most successful bowler, with 310 wickets in 76 Test matches. One of Australia's most fearsome fast bowlers, Lee retired from Tests in February 2010, although he played on in one-day and Twenty20 cricket thereafter.
At his best, Lee was one of the quickest bowlers in world cricket apart from being a useful lower-order batsman. Lee has captured 380 wickets in 220 ODIs and 28 wickets in 25 T20 internationals.
On 13th July 2012, ‘Binga’ as he is popularly known, retired from all forms of international cricket after a calf injury cut short his tour of England with Australia’s One-Day International team.
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Ricky Ponting
On November 29th, former Australian captain and Test cricket’s second highest run scorer Ricky Ponting announced that the final Test against South Africa in Perth would be his last. His decision followed a prolonged poor run of form.
Punter, as he is often referred to, rattled up 13,336 Test runs including 41 centuries. His ODI record was no less spectacular with 13,704 runs and 30 hundreds. As the last active cricketer of Steve Waugh’s invincible team, Ponting went one up on his predecessor by becoming the most successful captain in Test history.
Ponting led Australia to 34 consecutive undefeated World Cup games and was part of three World Cup winning squads.
International cricket is infinitely poorer without the man who mastered the pull and hook shot, but the world will always remember the pugnacious Tasmanian who played with only one purpose – to win.
On November 29th, former Australian captain and Test cricket’s second highest run scorer Ricky Ponting announced that the final Test against South Africa in Perth would be his last. His decision followed a prolonged poor run of form.
Punter, as he is often referred to, rattled up 13,336 Test runs including 41 centuries. His ODI record was no less spectacular with 13,704 runs and 30 hundreds. As the last active cricketer of Steve Waugh’s invincible team, Ponting went one up on his predecessor by becoming the most successful captain in Test history.
Ponting led Australia to 34 consecutive undefeated World Cup games and was part of three World Cup winning squads.
International cricket is infinitely poorer without the man who mastered the pull and hook shot, but the world will always remember the pugnacious Tasmanian who played with only one purpose – to win.
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Andrew Strauss
The former England captain retired from professional cricket on August 29th after losing a home series to South Africa. Strauss insisted his retirement had everything to do with his batting form and nothing to do with the then England exile of Kevin Pietersen, who had been dropped after the second Test in Headingley, after he admitted to sending "provocative" texts to South African players. Some of these were alleged to have been critical of Strauss, who succeeded Pietersen as England captain in 2009.
Strauss ended his career with a total of 21 hundreds - one shy of England's then all-time record. In October, Strauss was appointed to the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee which recommends changes to the rules in the various formats of cricket aimed at making the international game more balanced and appealing.
The former England captain retired from professional cricket on August 29th after losing a home series to South Africa. Strauss insisted his retirement had everything to do with his batting form and nothing to do with the then England exile of Kevin Pietersen, who had been dropped after the second Test in Headingley, after he admitted to sending "provocative" texts to South African players. Some of these were alleged to have been critical of Strauss, who succeeded Pietersen as England captain in 2009.
Strauss ended his career with a total of 21 hundreds - one shy of England's then all-time record. In October, Strauss was appointed to the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee which recommends changes to the rules in the various formats of cricket aimed at making the international game more balanced and appealing.
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Mark Boucher
The most prolific wicketkeeper in international cricket, South Africa’s Mark Boucher announced his retirement on July 10 following a painful injury to his left eye. Boucher, 35, was struck in the eye by a bail in Taunton during South Africa’s practice game against Somerset ahead of their Test series with England.
Boucher retired with 999 dismissals in all forms of international cricket. Ironically, Boucher had indicated the England tour would be his last assignment for the Proteas before leaving South African shores.
Fortunately for Boucher, the important parts of the retina of his left eye were found to be intact after he underwent a second surgery in Cape Town. Doctors had feared he would be left totally blind in the damaged eye, but the prognosis improved over time.
As tribute to his best mate, Jacques Kallis pointed to his eye after scoring his 43rd Test century in the first Test match against England. The Graeme Smith-led team also paid tributes to Boucher after winning the series. South Africa's skipper wrote 'We miss you Bouch' on his shirt after they became the No. 1 Test team.
The most prolific wicketkeeper in international cricket, South Africa’s Mark Boucher announced his retirement on July 10 following a painful injury to his left eye. Boucher, 35, was struck in the eye by a bail in Taunton during South Africa’s practice game against Somerset ahead of their Test series with England.
Boucher retired with 999 dismissals in all forms of international cricket. Ironically, Boucher had indicated the England tour would be his last assignment for the Proteas before leaving South African shores.
Fortunately for Boucher, the important parts of the retina of his left eye were found to be intact after he underwent a second surgery in Cape Town. Doctors had feared he would be left totally blind in the damaged eye, but the prognosis improved over time.
As tribute to his best mate, Jacques Kallis pointed to his eye after scoring his 43rd Test century in the first Test match against England. The Graeme Smith-led team also paid tributes to Boucher after winning the series. South Africa's skipper wrote 'We miss you Bouch' on his shirt after they became the No. 1 Test team.
Tatenda Taibu
Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batsman Tatenda Taibu called curtains on his cricketing career at the ripe age of 29 in order to work for the Church and devote his life to God’s service.
Taibu played 28 Tests and 150 ODIs after making his debut at age 18 as a successor to Andy Flower. He became Zimbabwe's first black captain in 2004 following Heath Streak's resignation and led an inexperienced side that faced some heavy defeats. He quit the captaincy and the national side in 2005 following threats against his family. Taibu later played for Namibia as captain for a season and for the South African domestic side Cape Cobras before returning to Zimbabwe in 2007.
A highlight of his career that spanned 11 years was Zimbabwe's Test victory against Bangladesh last year, when Zimbabwe returned to the format after a six-year exile.
Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batsman Tatenda Taibu called curtains on his cricketing career at the ripe age of 29 in order to work for the Church and devote his life to God’s service.
Taibu played 28 Tests and 150 ODIs after making his debut at age 18 as a successor to Andy Flower. He became Zimbabwe's first black captain in 2004 following Heath Streak's resignation and led an inexperienced side that faced some heavy defeats. He quit the captaincy and the national side in 2005 following threats against his family. Taibu later played for Namibia as captain for a season and for the South African domestic side Cape Cobras before returning to Zimbabwe in 2007.
A highlight of his career that spanned 11 years was Zimbabwe's Test victory against Bangladesh last year, when Zimbabwe returned to the format after a six-year exile.
Isa Guha
The high-profile retirement in the women’s game was that of England pace bowler Isa Guha. After ten years of international cricket that included 83 One Day Internationals, 22 Twenty20 Internationals and eight Tests, the Berkshire lass stepped away from the global stage. She announced her retirement on 9th March 2012, the same day as Rahul Dravid.
Guha, who is of Indian origin, was a former World Number 1 in bowler rankings. She was also part of the England team that lifted the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2009.
Isa Guha made a name for herself as a regular part of the England squad that established themselves as the leading side in Women’s cricket. She has spent her time as a commentator and broadcaster post retirement.
The high-profile retirement in the women’s game was that of England pace bowler Isa Guha. After ten years of international cricket that included 83 One Day Internationals, 22 Twenty20 Internationals and eight Tests, the Berkshire lass stepped away from the global stage. She announced her retirement on 9th March 2012, the same day as Rahul Dravid.
Guha, who is of Indian origin, was a former World Number 1 in bowler rankings. She was also part of the England team that lifted the Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2009.
Isa Guha made a name for herself as a regular part of the England squad that established themselves as the leading side in Women’s cricket. She has spent her time as a commentator and broadcaster post retirement.
Simon Taufel
Simon Taufel was considered to be one of the best if not the best umpire in world cricket. He stepped down from ICC's elite panel at the end of the World Twenty20 in Sri. The well-respected Australian was named the ICC's Umpire of the Year five successive times from 2004 to 2008.
The 41-year-old Taufel has now taken up the newly-created role of umpire performance and training manager with the ICC. He umpired in 74 Tests and 174 ODIs with his last Test and ODI appearances being at Lord's in August 2012 in matches featuring England and South Africa.
Some highlights of Taufel’s career included umpiring in the 2011 World Cup final, the deciders of the World Twenty20 in 2007, 2009 and 2012; as well as the Champions Trophy in 2004. Taufel was part of the group of officials shot at during the terrorist attack in Pakistan in 2009.
Simon Taufel was considered to be one of the best if not the best umpire in world cricket. He stepped down from ICC's elite panel at the end of the World Twenty20 in Sri. The well-respected Australian was named the ICC's Umpire of the Year five successive times from 2004 to 2008.
The 41-year-old Taufel has now taken up the newly-created role of umpire performance and training manager with the ICC. He umpired in 74 Tests and 174 ODIs with his last Test and ODI appearances being at Lord's in August 2012 in matches featuring England and South Africa.
Some highlights of Taufel’s career included umpiring in the 2011 World Cup final, the deciders of the World Twenty20 in 2007, 2009 and 2012; as well as the Champions Trophy in 2004. Taufel was part of the group of officials shot at during the terrorist attack in Pakistan in 2009.
Sachin Tendulkar (ODIs)
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.
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.
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