5 cricketers to get the most emotional farewells in the 21st century

Modified Sep 26, 2018 14:16 IST

Retiring opening batsman for Australia, Justin Langer (L), retiring pace bowler Glenn McGrath (C), and retiring spin bowler Shane Warne (R) display the Ashes trophy with their children after winning the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 05 January 2007

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the most decorated batsman of all time. Cricket is in his blood and he started representing India when he was merely sixteen years old. Loved across the globe, the 'Master Blaster' has many records to his name and went on to represent India for almost 24 years.

The God of cricket has the most number of runs in ODIs -- 18,426 -- with a batting average of 44.83. He has the most number of runs in Test cricket -- 15,921 -- with a batting average of 53.78. If we take a look at his combined record, then he has 100 100s, 164 50s and 34357 runs in all formats (ODI, T20 and Tests). The list of the records the little master has created is just endless.

SRT is also the most humble and modest of human beings which made him one of the most respected cricketers of all time. The 45-year-old won the 2011 World Cup with the Indian National Cricket team. He is the recipient of India's biggest sporting honour -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award along with being adorned with the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, and the Padma Vibhushan. The highlight honour came when he was made the 'Bharat Ratna' in 2013 for his insurmountable achievements and contribution to Indian cricket, right after he announced his retirement.

The Right-handed batsman went on to create history and when he came on to bat, the lives of all the Indians stopped and everyone was just glued to their TV sets to stare and admire him. His innumerable achievements still leave people awestruck. Sachin used to bat with such poise, yet he had such a raw aggression that it left spectators dumbfounded. There is only one Sachin Tendulkar and there will always be one. Maybe that is the reason why millions still look up to him and consider him the God of Cricket.

Sachin pulled the plug in ODIs against Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on March 18, 2012. His last Test match for India was against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium on Nov 14, 2013. The entire nation wept that day as Sachin delivered his farewell speech.