Retirement in cricket is often an emotional moment, not just for players but also for fans who have grown up watching them. Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes Indian cricket missed an important opportunity to properly honour three of its modern greats — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin — when they stepped away from Test cricket.
According to Monty Panesar, farewell Test matches are more than symbolic gestures. They serve as a mark of respect for players who have devoted years of their lives to the game. He feels the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could have planned special send-off matches for these senior players, especially considering their impact on Indian cricket. Monty Panesar contrasted this with England’s approach, where legends are celebrated openly when they retire, pointing to how recently retired players — Stuart Broad and James Anderson — were given memorable final appearances.
R Ashwin took the tough decision in December 2024, while Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from Test cricket in May last year, bringing an end to long and successful red-ball careers. While their exits were respected, Monty Panesar feels the absence of dedicated farewell matches took away glory from the moment.
Virat Kohli leaves behind a remarkable Test legacy. Over a 14-year career, he scored 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Rohit Sharma, known for his elegance and timing, played 67 Tests and scored 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with his record as an opener standing out even more strongly.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s contribution with the ball has been equally historic. He retired as India’s second highest Test wicket-taker with 537 wickets from 106 matches, trailing only Anil Kumble. Across all formats, Ashwin claimed 765 international wickets and was part of India’s World Cup-winning squad in 2011 and the Champions Trophy triumph in 2013.
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to play one-day internationals, it remains to be seen whether they will receive formal farewells in that format. For Monty Panesar, the bigger point remains clear — legends deserve moments that allow fans and the game itself to say a proper goodbye.
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