5 Cricketers Before Rohit Sharma Who Didn’t Get A Farewell Test Match

Six Indian cricket legends—Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Dravid, Dhoni, and Rohit—retired from Test cricket without a farewell match, sparking debate on honouring players' contributions

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Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Test cricket on May 7, joining this list of players who exited the format without a formal send-off. (News18)

In the world of cricket, a farewell Test match is often seen as a mark of respect and recognition for a player’s invaluable service to the nation. While some cricketers are fortunate enough to receive this honour, others bow out quietly, without the fanfare their careers perhaps deserved.

Here are six Indian cricketing stalwarts: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and most recently, Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket without playing a farewell match.

• Virender Sehwag – The Explosive Opener: One of the most dynamic openers the game has seen, Virender Sehwag redefined Test batting with his aggressive approach. Nicknamed the ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’, Sehwag scored 8,586 Test runs, including two triple centuries, an exceptional feat. Despite his illustrious career, he was denied a farewell match, a matter he later expressed regret over.
• Gautam Gambhir – The Unsung Contributor: Now the head coach of the Indian national team, Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in India’s triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. In the longer format too, he proved his mettle, scoring over 4,000 Test runs. Gambhir reportedly hoped for a farewell appearance for two years, but none came. He retired quietly in 2018.
• Rahul Dravid – The Wall: Revered as ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid’s classical technique and resilience earned him over 13,000 Test runs. His unexpected retirement in 2012 meant there was no formal farewell for one of the most dependable batter India has ever produced; a poignant omission in Indian cricket history.
• MS Dhoni – The Captain Marvel: Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, India scaled new heights, including attaining the number one ranking in Test cricket. However, in keeping with his understated persona, Dhoni stepped away from Test cricket in 2014 without ceremony or a final match. For a captain of his stature, the absence of a farewell Test left many fans disappointed.
• Yuvraj Singh – The Warrior Spirit: Yuvraj Singh’s Test career may not have been as celebrated as his white-ball feats, but his contributions were significant. A crucial player during India’s golden years and a cancer survivor who made a stirring comeback, Yuvraj’s journey was nothing short of inspirational. Yet, he too departed the longest format without a farewell match.
• Rohit Sharma – The Latest Addition: In a surprise announcement on May 7, Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Test cricket, joining this list of players who exited the format without a formal send-off. As a prolific opener and a respected leader, his departure caught many off guard, sparking conversations once again about the tradition of farewell matches.

Location :
New Delhi, India, India

First Published:
May 09, 2025, 11:07 IST