Mumbai: It is the season of retirements. After Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag — India’s 2011 World Cup heroes — Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson called time on his international career as well. While Khan and Sehwag’s decision could be speculated, Johnson’s sudden announcement stunned his fans. It came in between a series.
Let’s have a look at the head turners who announced retirement in between a series.
Allan Donald (1991-2003): The lanky fast bowler, during the home series against Australia in 2002, announced his swansong with two Tests remaining. His ODI venture was the ICC World Cup in 2003. Donald took 330 (at an average of 22.25) and 272 (21.88) wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively.
(Photo: AP)
Damien Martyn (1992-2006): He was the rock of Australia’s middle-order from the 90s. His decision to call it a day came ahead of the Perth Test during the 2006 Ashes. Martyn wasn’t among runs and his average was going downhill. Overall, the stylish right-handed batsman has 4406 and 5346 runs in Tests and ODIs respectively.
(Photo: AP)
Shane Bond (2001-2010): One of the fastest bowlers of his generation, Bond lost steam due to frequent injuries and hence, went out of the sport. He was forced to retire from Tests during the series against Pakistan in 2009 as he tore an abdominal muscle. Bond picked up 87 wickets in 18 Tests, 147 wickets in 82 ODIs.
(Photo: AP)
Anil Kumble (1990-2009): The leg-spinner called it a day during a series against Australia in 2008 after suffering a hand injury. He happily passed the Test captain’s cap to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kumble has been a match-winner in every way, with 619 Test wickets, 337 in ODIs.
(Photo: AFP)
Graeme Swann (2000-2013): The off-spinner, a Test specialist, retired in 2013 after being demolished by Australia in the Ashes. He bid goodbye with two Tests remaining at Melbourne and Sydney. Swann has 255 and 104 Test and ODI wickets respectively.
(Photo: AP)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2015-2014): Though he is still the ODI and T20 skipper for Team India, Dhoni announced his retirement from Tests after the Melbourne Test Down Under in 2014. He saved the Test match sticking to his wicket, scoring 24 runs and then, came the revelation. With 4876 runs, 256 catches and 38 stumpings – he stamped his authority in the history books.
(Photo: AP)
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