Brief Tribute to players who announced retirement from ODIs in this World Cup

Brief Tribute to players who announced retirement from ODIs in this World Cup : This World Cup has seen many great players perform on the biggest stage of them all, for the last time. Some declared retirement before the tournament, while some preferred to do it during the World Cup, after their teams lost, or won.  The fans of cricket will never get to watch these players in colored jerseys of their respective team.

Here is a heartfelt tribute to the players who entertained us in the ODI format to the full and appreciation of all of their achievements and accomplishments. A sincere Thank you to all the players mentioned in the list.

(Note: This is a tribute to the players who retired after the World Cup from ODIs; the list is not in any order)

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka 2000-2015)
Mt: 404| R: 14234| 100s: 25| B: 169| Dismissals: 501

Sri Lanka’s 2011 World Cup captain Kumar Sangakkara had announced that this World Cup would be his last and he would retire from the ODI cricket after this World Cup. Sangakkara retired from T20I in 2014 after winning the ICC World T20.

He was in top form in the World Cup becoming the first player to hit 4 centuries in 4 consecutive matches during the World Cup. Everyone wondered why he was retiring when he was in such a good form, but he said that it was the right time for him to retire.

Sangakkara retired with more than 14,000 ODI runs to his name and 25 hundreds in 404 matches. He will continue to play Test matches till August 2015.

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka 1998-2015)
Mt: 448| R: 12650| 100s: 19| B: 144| Ct: 218

Another Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene retired from cricket altogether. He retired from T20Is along with Sangakkara and retired from Test cricket in 2014.

Jayawardene made a brilliant century against Afghanistan when Sri Lanka looked in a spot of bother when Afghanistan dismissed the Sri Lankan top order for cheap. Other than that, he had a quiet tournament, as compared to the 2011 World Cup, where he scored a brilliant century in World Cup finals.

He retires with 12650 runs in 448 matches. He took 218 catches in ODI matches and led Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final.

Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan 2002-2015)
Mt: 162| R: 5122| B: 96*

Pakistan’s captain Misbah also bade goodbye to ODI cricket with 5122 runs in 162 matches. The only tragedy of his career is that he couldn’t make a ODI century with 96* being his highest score.

Misbah provided a stabilizing leadership to a turbulent Pakistani cricket and led the different characters and egos with equality. He led his team from the front scoring runs and getting his team out of trouble many times. One of the most calm and cool captains in the world, who was also reliable to uphold the laws of sportsmanship.

Misbah retires from ODI cricket with 5122 runs from 162 matches.

Younis Khan (Pakistan 2000-2015)
Mt: 264| R: 7240| 100s: 7| B: 144

Another old Pakistani warhorse Younis Khan retires from the game after 15 years of cricket. He hit 7 centuries in 264 matches with a best of 144.
Younis Khan who was used as an opener in this World Cup couldn’t do much and was dropped after only 2 matches in defeat against West Indies and India. He was brought back for the crunch game against Zimbabwe, where he made considerable contribution but was dropped in favor of Sarfraz Ahmed.

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan 1996-2015)
Mt: 398| R: 8064| Wkts: 395| B: 124| BB: 7/12| 6s: 351

Mercurial Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi also announced his retirement from the ODI format after Pakistan’s loss to India in the World Cup. Afridi who debuted in 1996 and held the record for fastest century in ODIs in 37 balls, he has had a long career spanning almost 20 years.

Afridi had retired from Test cricket in 2007, barring a one match return in 2010. Afridi announced that he will play T20I till the ICC World T20 in 2016 to be held in India. Afridi made 8064 runs and took 395 wickets in ODIs, making him only the 2nd player to do so after Sanath Jayasuriya.
Afridi retires with 351 sixes in ODIs, with best score of 124 and best bowling figures of 7/12 against West Indies, in 398 ODI matches from 1996 till 2015.

Brendan Taylor (Zim 2004-2015)
Mt: 167|R: 5258|B:145*|100s: 8| Dis: 218

Zimbabwe got a shock of a life time when their wicket keeper and former captain Brendan Taylor announced that he was leaving his Zimbabwe career for a 3 year English County Kolpak deal. Taylor who scored 2 centuries in the 2015 World Cup and was amongst the top 10 runs scorers in the World Cup.

Taylor, who led Zimbabwe in the 2011 World Cup, retires from the ODI format with 5258 runs in 167 matches with 8 hundreds and a best score of 145*. He also took 218 catches as the wicketkeeper of Zimbabwe. He said that he was unsure of the future of Zimbabwe cricket and he wanted to provide for his family and may be qualify for England if he could.

Daniel Vettori (NZ 1997-2015)
Mt: 295|R:2244|Wkts: 305| BB:5/7

Daniel Vettori one of the best spinners in cricket history will also retire from cricket altogether after New Zealand’s loss in the finals of the 2015 World Cup. Vettori who had been struggling with back problems since last 3 years, retired from Test cricket after he was called up for an emergency recall in Dubai.

Vettori was included in the 15 man squad after captain McCullum asked him to consider playing in ODI once again. Vettori performed exceptionally well taking 15 wickets in the World Cup and helping New Zealand get into their first finals of World Cup history.

He bids goodbye to the game with 2244 runs and 305 wickets in 295 ODIs with best figures of 5/7.

Michael Clarke (Australia 2003-2015)
Mt: 245| R: 7981|100s: 8| B: 130| BB: 5/35

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke had announced his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup finals on the eve of the finals. Clarke who was included in the 15 man squad, after extensive rehabilitation following a surgery on his hamstrings and back, which made him, miss 3 Tests of the 4 match India Test series. He did this in order to prolong his Test career with respect to his injuries.

George Bailey led Australia in first 2 matches of the World Cup, but Clarke made his return and led the Aussies till the final. Clarke also scored runs in the semi-finals and finals, making a brilliant 74 in the finals against New Zealand.

Michael Clarke retired after leading Australia to their 5th world title at the MCG. He scored 7981 runs in 245 matches with 8 hundreds and a best of 130 against India.

*All stats updated till 29th March 2015.