5 times India found a new star in the same series when a legend bid goodbye

There is this theory about retiring from the game; players ideally want to leave the game better than they found it when they started playing it.

In almost a very literal sense, when legends of the game bid goodbye, they pass on the baton to a young upcoming talent coming through the ranks to take the game forward and to play in the right spirit all along.

Indian cricket has been blessed in this regard as over the years, young players have made their debuts in that particular series when established players decided to move on in their careers.

Now, let us take a look at 5 such instances.

#5 Anil Kumble - Amit Mishra

There will few debates over the pedigree and impact of Anil Kumble on Indian cricket as the combative leggie dominated the Test scene well over a decade.

However, back in 2008, Kumble who was the then Indian captain was not entirely fit and had to sit out in a couple of matches which prompted the Indian selectors to try out another promising leg-spinner in Amit Mishra and the Haryana spinner made an immediate impact.

Perhaps this convinced Anil Kumble to announce his retirement from international cricket as MS Dhoni took over the mantle of the Indian team and Amit Mishra became the leg-spinner in whites.

#4 Virender Sehwag - Shikhar Dhawan

Back in 2013, the Indian team were taking on the Michael Clarke-led Australian team in what would be Virender Sehwag’s last Test series in Indian colours.

And almost symbolically, Sehwag passed on the baton to another Delhi dasher in the form of Shikhar Dhawan and Indian cricket found another enforcer at the top of the order.

Dhawan made his debut against Australia in Mohali and shot to prominence almost immediately as he smashed the hapless bowling attack to all corners of the park and peeled off 187 of the brightest runs to stamp his authority all over the game and to some extent, his entire career.

#3 MS Dhoni - KL Rahul

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in 2014, MS Dhoni held the fort and salvaged a draw for the Indian team by arresting a minor collapse in the middle order, and then minutes later, announced his retirement from the format.

And almost as if it was scripted, a young KL Rahul grew in stature in the very next game at the Sydney Cricket Ground where he smashed his maiden Test century.

The baton was passed and how as a new star was born while a legend walked into the sunset.

Since then, Rahul has gone from strength to strength and has established himself as India’s opener in Test cricket.

#2 Sourav Ganguly - Murali Vijay

Possibly the greatest ever captain to have led the Indian team, Sourav Ganguly made an inspired comeback into the Indian team in 2006 and for the next two years was an instrumental member of the Test squad.

He announced his retirement in the 2008 series against Australia, and in that very same series a young opener from Tamil Nadu, Murali Vijay made his presence felt in international cricket.

Vijay has since established himself as India’s premier opening batsman in Tests, more so in overseas conditions and he has served his team brilliantly over the past few years and his contributions at the top of the order against the new ball have been a critical factor to India’s success in overseas conditions.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar - Rohit Sharma

“I can see those youngsters… Virat and Rohit are the ones. As long as an Indian betters it, I don’t mind,” said Tendulkar when his career was drawing to a close.

And just like that as this 25-year long stellar career was drawing to an emotional end, fellow Mumbaikar Rohit Sharma got his Test debut in the very same series against the West Indies in 2013.

Rohit might not have sealed his Test spot as of now, but his start was stupendous as he scored two centuries in his first two matches and the baton was passed.

It should also be noted here that in 2013, Rohit was first pushed to open the innings in the limited overs format and this was the watershed moment in his career and five years down the line, he has become one of the best openers in coloured clothing.