Retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket: Cricketers are a symbol of prestige for their respective countries & they never leave any opportunity to honor them. One renowned gesture of honoring your favorite cricketers is retiring their jersey numbers to preserve the legacy of these legendary cricketers. Now you might think what does this practice of retiring the jersey numbers mean? So let us make you explain that this practice signifies that no other player from the country will wear the retired jersey that once a legendary cricketer wore throughout their career.
In recent times, BCCI made a historic move by retiring the jersey of former Captain MS Dhoni. BCCI paid tribute to legendary cricketer MS Dhoni by retiring his Jersey No 7. This means that no other cricketer in the country will be assigned Jersey No. 7 preserving Dhoni’s legacy. Previously similar tribute was paid to Sachin Tendulkar when BCCI retired jersey No 10 which was worn by legendary player Tendulkar.
Not only BCCI but other cricket boards have also adopted this practice by retiring the jerseys of their legendary players. Cricket Australia has retired the jersey No of Phillip Hughes while New Zealand honored Vettori & McCullum by retiring their respective jerseys. Even Nepal paid tribute to their former Captain Paras Khadka by retiring his jersey no 77. This indicates the importance of recognizing & honoring cricketing talent across the globe.
Let’s have a look at the Retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket
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MS Dhoni Jersey No. 7
When Retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket are talked about MS Dhoni’s Jersey No 7 comes on our list. Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 but he continues to play in the Indian Premier League for CSK wearing jersey no 7. Known as ‘Captain Cool’, Dhoni’s exceptional leadership skills, and wicket-keeping prowess have led the Indian cricket team to laurels of success during his tenure.
Dhoni has led India to three white-ball ICC titles- the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013, the most by any other captain. It was his sheer excellence & dedication that helped India to lift major trophies a maximum number of times. Honoring such a legend BCCI decided to retire his Jersey No. 7 which means now no other cricketer will don his Jersey No. 7 ever in the history of Indian Cricket.
2) Sachin Tendulkar Jersey No 10
The legend of Indian Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar used to wear Jersey No 10 during his cricketing career. No one can ignore his dominance in World Cricket & the stellar records which he holds. Tendulkar is an idol of several budding cricketers & his contribution to the growth of Indian Cricket is inevitable. And as a move to pay tribute to this prolific cricketer the BCCI had decided to retire Jersey No 10 in 2017. From that day no one has worn Tendulakar’s jersey no 10 preserving the legacy of the ‘Master Blaster’ of World Cricket. He is the highest run-scorer in ODIs & Tests with over 18,000 and 15,000 runs in his kitty.
3) Phillip Hughes Jersey No 64
When Retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket are talked about Australia grabbed a spot on the list. The story behind Cricket Australia retiring Hughes jersey no 64 is quite shocking. In 2014, Hughes died in a tragic event that propelled CA to retire his ODI jersey Number 64. During a four-day game between South Australia Red Back and New South Wales Blues, Hughes got hit on the back of the helmet which was unprotected. He fainted & was immediately rushed to the hospital. After staying in a coma for 2 days he succumbed to his injuries. Hughes died at the tender age of 26 & CA paid tribute to the young cricketer by retiring his jersey.
4) Stephen Fleming Jersey No 7
New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming too reserves a spot in the retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket list. The NZC board retired Jersey No. 7 in honor of his contributions to the growth of New Zealand Cricket. For the unversed, it was under Fleming’s captaincy that New Zealand clinched the ICC Knockout Trophy 2000. He has enjoyed a successful career while playing for New Zealand. Fleming has featured in 111 tests, 280 ODIs & 5 T20Is amassing 7172 Test runs, 8037 runs in ODIs & 110 runs in T20Is. He made his presence felt by featuring in the IPL where he played 10 fixtures amassing 196 runs. Honoring Fleming by retiring his jersey No is the best gesture NZC has shown to honor him for his unwavering service to New Zealand Cricket.
5) Daniel Vettori Jesery No 11
New Zealand Cricket has produced some exceptional gems in World Cricket. And one such prolific player is Daniel Vettori. A renowned left-arm spinner who knows the art of scalping crucial wickets in dire situations. Known as the master of spin, Vettori is known for his unwavering contributions with both bat & ball. He has featured in 113 Tests, 295 ODIs, 34 t20Is & 34 IPL fixtures scoring 4531 runs in the longest format of cricket, 2253 runs in ODIs & 205 runs in T20Is. Considering his contributions New Zealand Cricket decided to retire Vettori’s Jersey No 11 in the year 2019. When retired Jersey Numbers are talked about, Daniel Vettori’s Jersey No. 11 enters the list.
6) Brendon McCullum Jersey No 42
Another New Zealander who grabbed a spot on the list of retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket list is none other than Brendon McCullum. Known as ‘brash’ McCullum is regarded as one of the finest wicket-keeper batters New Zealand cricket has ever produced. Known for his aggressive playing style McCullum never used sledging as a means of irritating opponents instead his willow did the talking most of the time.
Under his leadership, McCullum reached the World Cup final for the first time in 2015 & played 13 consecutive home Tests without any defeat. By the time he retired in 2015-16, McCullum became the first player to play in 100 consecutive Tests from his debut. It was under McCullum’s guidance that England’s Test cricket gained the ‘Bazball’ name & reached heights of success. In honor of McCullum New Zealand Cricket decided to retire his jersey No 42 & preserve his legacy for life long.
7) Chris Harris Jersey No 5
New Zealand cricket have made a point to honor their prolific cricketers by this beautiful gesture of retiring their jersey Numbers. One such cricketer who was felicitated by New Zealand Cricket by retiring his jersey number is Chris Harris. Prolific left-hand middle order batter & right arm slow medium batter Harris played a stellar role in rescuing New Zealand’s batsman on several occasions.
For the unversed, he was a member of the New Zealand team which won the ICC Knockout Trophy 2000. Featuring 23 Tests & 250 ODIs Harris has amassed 777 Test runs & 4379 ODI runs which made him an irreplaceable part of the New Zealand Cricket team. NZC then decided to pay tribute to him by retiring his jersey no 5 & preserving his legacy forever. When retired Jersey Numbers are discussed Chris Harris makes a point to enter the list.
8) Nathan Astle Jersey No 9
There comes New Zealand’s fourth-highest run-scorer of 2022, Nathan Astle who has been honored by NZC by retiring his Jersey No 9. The unsung hero of New Zealand cricket enjoys the record of the fastest double century in Test cricket and the second-highest individual score in the fourth innings of a Test match. He has played in 81 Tests, 223 ODIs & 4 T20Is amassing 4702 Test runs, 7090 ODI runs & 74 T20I runs. His heroics with the willow helped him to earn Guard of Honor from New Zealand Cricket.
9) Chris Cairns Jersey No 7
New Zealand Cricket has never failed to make their talented players feel special by extending a special guard of honor to them. When retired Jersey Numbers in Cricket are talked about former New Zealand ODI Captain, Chris Cairns acquires a spot on the list. NZC paid a special tribute to Cairns by retiring his jersey No. 6 & honoring his legacy. Regarded as one of the best all-rounders in World Cricket, Cairns has played an integral role in New Zealand’s triumph in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy.
He has contributed to the success of New Zealand Cricket with both bat & ball. He has featured in 62 Tests & 215 ODIs amassing 3320 Test runs & 4950 ODI runs. Even with the ball, his heroics are worth noting as in 62 Tests he has scalped 218 wickets & 215 ODIs he has returned with 201 scalps. After considering Cairns’s immense contribution to New Zealand Cricket the board decided to honor him by retiring his Jersye No 6 & safeguarding his legacy.
10) Paras Kahdka Jersey No 77
The former Captain of the Nepal cricket team, Paras Khadka received a special guard of honor from the Nepal Cricket Association. Following Paras’s immense contribution to the growth of Nepal Cricket, the association thought of sealing his legacy by retiring his jersey No 77. Known as Nepal’s version of Sachin Tendulkar Paras has gained immense popularity in domestic cricket.
His domestic figures are superb as playing in 44 List A & 56 T20s, Paras has scored 1497 & 1317 runs respectively. He has also represented the country in 10 ODis & 33 T20is amassing 315 & 799 runs respectively. Considering his contribution CAN decided to retire his jersey No 77 as a special tribute to the players from the board.
These are some renowned players whose jersey comes under retired jersey numbers in Cricket. The Board of Cricket has honored the legendary players of their respective teams by retiring their jersey numbers. This special tribute is a way of preserving their legacy & giving them a high stature in Cricketing history.
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