The year 2020 has been the most dreadful year for all sporting fans all over the World. From the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the entire world to lockdown being imposed in majority parts of the World, this year has truly been an exuberant rollercoaster ride for all of us.
For sporting fans, its kind of been the other of things are we saw major tours being cancelled, some being postponed whereas tournaments like the IPL were shifted outside the host nation into a bio bubble atmosphere in UAE for the successful completion of the cash-rich league.
But in between all the scale of events that took place in the cricketing world, there were a few players that bid adieu to international cricket. Some retired as their age-restricted them to do so whereas some retired at an early age in order to play in foreign leagues all around the World.
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Today we take a look at five such players who adieu to International cricket in the highly uncertain year of 2020:
1. Irfan Pathan
The all-rounder from Baroda finally called time on his career on January 4, 2020, in a viewpoint of playing in foreign T20 Leagues around the world. Irfan’s recent participation in a foreign league came in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) which took place in the island nation of Sri Lanka where he represented the Kandy Tuskers franchise.
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The 2007 World T20 winner represented India in 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20Is wherein he picked up 301 wickets across all formats. He’s infamously remembered for the hat-trick he picked up in a test match against Pakistan in 2006 where he bagged the wickets of Salman Butt, Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf.
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2. Parthiv Patel
When we all had the first glimpse of Parthiv Patel in international cricket he was someone who was remembered to be the baby-faced cricketer. The wicket-keeper-batsman from Gujarat called time on his career on December 9, 2020, via an official statement he posted on Twitter. When Parthiv first debuted for India he was merely 17 years old and holds the record for being one of the youngest players ever to play Test cricket.
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Though Parthiv’s career only lasted 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and 2 T20i for the Indian side, he’s been a prolific player for his state side Gujarat where he led them to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in the year 2016-17 beating the almighty Mumbai in the finals. As soon as Parthiv called time on his career, he was announced as a ‘Talent Scout’ for the Mumbai Indians franchise.
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3. Mohammad Amir
The left-arm fast bowler from Pakistan took the World by a storm when we first saw him play in the 2009 World T20, what we certainly did not predict the downfall of the bowler that was to emerge in the following year. In 2010, Mohammad Amir was banned for five years along with Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif on the charges of spot-fixing. He finally made a comeback in the Pakistan side in the year 2016 and was soon seen playing a key role for the Pakistan side in lifting the 2017 Champions Trophy.
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On December 17, 2020, Mohammad Amir shocked the cricketing world by announcing retirement from international cricket after he alleged to facing ‘Mental torture’ from the Team management. In a video statement, Amir announced his decision to quit international cricket after being left out of the 35 member squad for the tour of New Zealand. Amir stated that being left out of the squad was indeed a wake-up call for him which led to him making this decision.
4. Suresh Raina
The Chinna Thalla of the Chennai Super Kings franchise shook the Cricketing fraternity after announcing his retirement from international cricket just minutes after his ‘Thala’ MS Dhoni decided to hang up his boots. The left-handed batsman from Uttar Pradesh represented the Indian side in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is where he contributed with both bat and ball.
Suresh Raina‘s last appearance for the Indian side came in 2018 after which he failed to secure a spot in the Indian side.
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Raina’s retirement wasn’t the only time his fans were shocked as just weeks before the IPL kick-started things in the UAE, the left-hander flew back to India on personal grounds what was later revealed that his family in Pathankot was robbed which resulted in the murder of his uncle.
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5. MS Dhoni
With no press release or press conference, the most successful captain in the history of Indian cricket finally called time on his career on August 15, 2020. Just like the profile, the boy from Ranchi had lived during his entire career he announced his retirement via a video posted on Instagram with the classic song ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu’ in the background which featured a slideshow of all his accomplishments and moments across his 16 years international career in the blue jersey.
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In the highly illustrious 16 years long career, Dhoni represented India in 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20is. The Ranchi born is also the only captain in history to win all three major ICC events as captain of the side. Even though MS Dhoni hung up his boots for the Indian team, he still continues to ply his trade for the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL.
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