Why India Can’t Give Good Farewells to Great Players: The Rohit Sharma Case & Broader Lessons

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by

Himanshu
in

India has produced many cricketing legends whose careers span decades, breaking records, inspiring millions, and shaping the game. Naturally, when such stalwarts retire, fans expect a proper farewell—on the field, in front of the crowd they played for. But more often than not, the send-offs are abrupt, handled on social media, or lacking in ceremony. The recent case of Rohit Sharma—his retirement from Test cricket via social media post, with no “farewell Test”—has stirred emotions and raised serious questions: why does this happen so frequently?

This article unpacks the Rohit Sharma incident, examines systemic issues, looks at reactions, compares with how other countries handle retirements, and suggests how India might do better going forward.

What Exactly Happened with Rohit Sharma

Here are the key facts:

  • Rohit Sharma, long a linchpin in India’s batting order, officially announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. Reuters+2India Today+2
  • The announcement came through a social media post (Instagram Story), not during or after a Test match. India Today+2Cricket.com+2
  • He did not play a final, formal Test match designated as his “farewell Test,” where the crowd, teammates, and opposition could properly acknowledge his contributions. Hindustan Times+2Cricket.com+2
  • Many cricket veterans and commentators expressed that such a departure felt sudden and lacking in dignity, especially given Rohit’s long career and achievements. Sports Yaari+3India Today+3India Today+3

So the “Rohit incident” is not about whether he retired (that’s within his rights), but how it was done—and how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) didn’t organize or facilitate a public, field-farewell.

Why Farewells Matter

Farewell matches or ceremonies are more than just symbolic. They provide several concrete and emotional benefits:

BenefitWhat It Gives to the Player, Team, and Fans
ClosureAllows the player to say goodbye “on field,” feel the applause, leave publicly on their own terms.
Respect and RecognitionAcknowledges years of performance, leadership, sacrifices.
InspirationShows younger players how to finish with dignity; builds heritage.
Fan connectFans get a moment to express gratitude, and memories are anchored around “last match” moments.
Media & LegacyBroadcasts and archives preserve the farewell; cricket history remembers the full arc.

When players are retired via announcement or omission, many of these benefits are lost.

Why India Often Fails to Provide Proper Farewells

Using Rohit’s case and others (Virat Kohli, Pujara, etc.), several recurring reasons emerge:

  1. Timing and Performance Decline
    • Often a player’s form declines, or they are dropped from the team, which makes scheduling a farewell tricky. In Rohit’s case, recent low Test scores and losses added pressure. Reuters+1
    • The selectors / board may feel that giving a farewell when form is poor sends mixed messages, or that it might be seen as sentimental rather than merit-based.
  2. Lack of Communication & Planning
    • There appears to be an absence of advance planning or coordination between player, selectors, and board. Often players decide to retire close to tours. India Today+1
    • Sometimes the player themselves may opt for a “quiet” exit, but even then, a board can initiate or facilitate a proper send-off. In many cases, this apparently did not happen.
  3. Boarding Priorities & Logistics
    • Scheduling farewell Tests requires knowing which upcoming match will suit: home series, where fans will be present, stadium atmosphere. Sometimes India is not hosting home Tests at the right moment.
    • Logistical constraints: Teams touring abroad, crowded calendars, overlapping series, player workloads—these factors limit open windows.
  4. Culture, Precedents, and Expectations
    • There is less institutional tradition in India for farewell matches in the same way as in some other cricket nations (e.g. England, Australia).
    • Unless there is public pressure, or a high-profile player with negotiating power, the default seems to be less formal retirements.
  5. Media and Social Media Age
    • The immediacy of social media means announcements are made quickly. That can preempt planning for a formal on-field farewell.
    • Also, when retirement happens during off-season or between tours, there may be no match scheduled, so the player is no longer part of playing XI to allow on-field goodbye.
  6. Organizational Disjoint
    • Sometimes the board (BCCI), team management, selectors, and scheduling departments are not aligned on farewell protocols. Players report feeling “left in the dark.” India Today+1

Reactions & Criticism from Cricketing Community

The Rohit case triggered a strong response from former players, current players, pundits, and fans. Some of the main reactions:

  • Manoj Tiwary said Rohit deserved a farewell on the field, not through social media. India Today+1
  • Anil Kumble said both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserved a proper farewell; urged that authorities take note. India Today+1
  • Ravi Bishnoi expressed disappointment at how sudden the Test retirements were and how the legends “did not get to say goodbye in front of fans.” India Today+1
  • Kris Srikkanth criticised the BCCI for “communication gap” and said players like Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara “deserved better send-offs.” India Today

Public outcry emphasized that a player who has given 15-20 years to the game, representing the country in multiple formats, deserves more than a social media note.

Examples from Other Countries

To see what’s possible, consider how other major cricketing nations handle send-offs:

CountryNotable Farewell ExampleWhat They Did Differently
AustraliaSteven Smith, David Warner announced ahead and played final Test series at home, got ovations, presentations.Farewells planned in home series; media, fans aware; ceremonial aspects included.
EnglandJoe Root announced retirement in advance; playing last Tests with full preparations; press conferences; fans in stadium involved.Mannered exit, respecting performance dips but with dignity.
West Indies / South Africa / New ZealandOften schedule farewell domestic matches or invite legends back; farewell speeches, plaques etc.Even if not always in international, there are formal recognitions.

These examples show that even when form is declining, some boards give players a chance to finish with dignity and ceremony.

Why Some Might Defend the Current Approach

To be fair, there are arguments in favor of “quiet” or less formal farewells. These are sometimes cited:

  • Player choice: Some players may prefer not to have a big farewell, especially if they feel their form is no longer sharp.
  • Avoiding distractions: Teams might think public goodbyes could distract during tours or series.
  • Scheduling constraints: Turning around international calendar, arranging home matches isn’t always feasible.
  • Performance metrics: If performance has been poor, boards might view honoring someone with an underwhelming last performance as misleading or unfair in competitive sport.

While these considerations have merit, many feel they don’t outweigh the moral and symbolic obligation to properly honor the legends.

What India Could Do Better: Proposed Solutions

Here are actionable ways BCCI (or any organizing body) could improve the way storied players are given farewells:

  1. Early communication and planning
    • Once a senior player signals nearing end of career (age, workload, form etc.), have discussions with them about farewell schedule.
    • Align that with upcoming home series so they can leave the field in front of crowds.
  2. Designate a “farewell Test / match”
    • Select a match (especially home) where the player can be part of the playing XI if possible, so crowds, teammates, opponent, and press coverage allow a proper ceremony.
    • Include presentations, speeches, curtains, commemorative kits etc.
  3. Public announcement and media build-up
    • Let fans know in advance, so tickets, tributes, press, social media can coordinate.
    • That builds emotional resonance.
  4. Honors beyond the field
    • Awards, lifetime achievement recognition, involvement in ceremonies, office / committee roles.
    • Ensure legacy is preserved in archives, museums, commentary etc.
  5. Board and selectors’ protocols
    • Institutional protocols for retirements and ceremonies, so it isn’t “ad hoc.”
    • Maybe a retirement policy or guidelines for players with certain contributions (number of matches, years, captaincy etc.)
  6. Safeguarding player dignity
    • Even if player decides to retire via social media (for personal reasons), board can still organise a formal farewell later, possibly in domestic cricket or a testimonial match.
  7. Fan involvement
    • Involve spectators, local associations, former players in farewells; make it communal rather than administrative.

Broader Lessons from Rohit + Others

Using Rohit’s case alongside Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, etc., we can see broader patterns:

  • When several legends retire close together, the distinction between “retirements” and “send-offs” becomes muddy. Fans want closure; announcement timing matters.
  • There is sometimes an imbalance: ODI or T20 retirements often overshadow Test retirements in public mind, especially if the player continues in shorter formats.
  • Emotional value of “on-field farewell” is large: the final innings, final fielding time, applause, ad-libs, tributes—these moments often define how fans remember careers.

Conclusion

The case of Rohit Sharma reinforces a truth many fans and experts have been saying: India’s system for farewells is inconsistent and often unfair to players who gave decades of service. To truly honor their contributions, a retirement should not feel like a sudden post on social media—it should be a moment that respects both achievement and legacy.

India owes its legends better. Rohit’s exit, lacking a formal farewell Test, is not just about one individual—it symbolizes a systemic issue in how sporting bodies treat long service, performance decline, and transition. If cricket authorities want to preserve heritage, build respect, and give players their due, they need to institutionalize better protocols. Because cricket is not just about stats—it’s about moments, emotion, and honoring those who built the game.

Disclaimer

This article is based on public reports, media statements, and reaction from players and cricket analysts. It is meant for opinion and discussion and not as a definitive account by any cricket board or official.