Year-End Special: From AB de Villiers to Gautam Gambhir, Here’s the List of Cricketers Who Retired in 2018

Retirement for any athlete is always an emotional moment and one that he takes after many a deliberation. For his team and the fans it is always a huge loss but for the individual too turning pro and then playing for your country and then finally the decision to hang up their boots, it marks the end of a cycle. The world of cricket saw several names call it a day in the year 2018 which is coming to an end. Some of these players have been the finest of their generation and their departure has undoubtedly left a big void.

Here is the list of cricketers who retired in 2018 :

AB de Villiers: One of the greatest batsman of the modern era, Mr 360 shocked fans around the world with his decision to quit all forms of the game for South Africa. He was in brilliant form in his the series against Australia which turned out to be his last for the Proteas. He scored 8765 runs in 114 tests with 22 centuries, 9577 ODI runs in 228 games with 25 centuries and 1672 runs in 78 T20 games. He also holds the record for the fastest ODI century and his overall batting was a spectacle which few could match. Having never won the World Cup for his nation, ABD has won the hearts of millions with his conduct on the pitch. We will continue to see him for at least some more time in a few of the domestic leagues around the world. Bangladesh Premier League 2018–19 Key Players: AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle Among List of Top 5 BPL Players to Watch Out For!

Mitchell Johnson: The fiery Australian paceman was a frightening sight for the best of the batsman in his days but like everyone age caught up with him too and he bid goodbye to all form of cricket back in August 2018. He picked up 313 test wickets in 73 tests with his best figures of 8-61 and in ODI’s he scalped 239 wickets in 153 games with 6-31 his best. Johnson who is the fourth highest wicket-taker for the Aussies in test also represented them in 30 T20 games. The left arm pacer was a deadly weapon in the Australian arsenal and starred in many of their wins.

Gautam Gambhir: The bold and fiery left-hand batsman Gautam Gambhir whose brilliant knocks in the final of 2007 T20 World Cup against Pakistan and 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka helped India win the titles announced his retirement through a video message on 4th December 2018. The Delhi batsman scored 4154 test runs and 5238 ODI runs in 58 and 147 games respectively. Form and fitness hampered his progress in the later part of his career and also there was news doing rounds that he fell out with MS Dhoni. Despite all these, he is regarded as one of India’s finest openers something he can be proud of. Forget Sourav Ganguly vs Ravi Shastri, Now it's Gautam Gambhir vs the Head Coach of Indian Cricket Team!

Alastair Cook: England batting great Alastair Cook had announced that fifth test between England and India at the Oval would be his last. Cook, who scored 12472 runs for the Three Lions in 161 test matches and 3204 ODI runs in 92 games hit a masterclass 147 runs in his final innings. It was a fitting end to the careers of one of the icons of test match cricket as he tasted success with his team winning the Oval test and the series 4-1. The left-hand opening batsman finished with 33 test tons and 5 ODI hundreds to his name.

Mohammad Kaif: Former Indian middle order batsman Mohammad Kaif retired from all forms of cricket in July 2018. Although he last played for India some 12 years ago, he has 2753 runs in 125 ODI games in Indian colours. He continued turning out for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket post his exile from the senior team where he was well known for electric fielding. His knock against England in the final of the Natwest Trophy in 2002 is still fresh in the memories of Indian fans.

Rudra Pratap Singh: Uttar Pradesh fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh represented India in 14 tests and 58 ODI games where he took 40 and 69 wickets respectively. He announced he was walking away from the game of cricket on the 4th September 2018. Rudra as he is fondly called thanked the BCCI and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association for the support throughout his career. A career in commentary box awaits the former left-arm pacer.

Munaf Patel: When Gujarat fast bowler Munaf Patel made his debut for India back in 2006, he was tipped to be the best big thing in Indian cricket. Unfortunately, form and fitness restricted him to 13 tests and 70 ODI games in which he took 36 and 86 wickets respectively. He bid goodbye to all forms of cricket back in November 2018. For a man earning Rs 35 at a tile factory, he showed nothing is impossible by getting his hands on the World Cup winners medal in 2011.  Gautam Gambhir Stands by his Tweet Against Mohd Azharuddin: Says, ‘He Wasn’t Given a Clean Chit& Has No Place in my Life’.

Praveen Kumar: Praveen Kumar whose swing bowling and disciplinary issues were always the talks in Indian cricket circles informed the world that he is ready to walk away from the sport after several years as professional. He picked 27 wickets in 6 test matches and 77 wickets in 68 ODI matches for India. He also became the 7th bowler in IPL history to take a hat-trick when he picked three wickets in three balls against the Rajasthan Royals.

Subramaniam Badrinath: For the Chennai Super Kings fans, Subramaniam Badrinath was the architect of several crucial innings for the Men in Yellow where he won multiple titles. He also played 15 years in domestic cricket and under MS Dhoni also finally got the opportunity to represent India. On August 31, 2018, he announced his retirement after scoring more than 10000 first-class career runs. He also moved to Vidarbha towards the twilight of his career after limited opportunities with Tamil Nadu.

These cricketers will no longer be seen in competitive games but we can see them associated with the sports in one form or the other.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).