After playing 15 years of international cricket for India, Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all formats of the game on Tuesday (December 4).
“After more than fifteen years of cricket for my country, I want to retire from playing this beautiful game. Two World Cups, highest run-getter in the final of both games, it is the stuff that dreams are made of,” Gambhir said in a video that he posted on his Facebook page.
The two-times World Cup winner, who last played for India in 2016 against England in Rajkot, scored 4154 runs in Test cricket in 58 matches, 5238 runs in ODIs and 932 in T20Is. He will be playing his final match for Delhi in the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Andhra Pradesh.
Gambhir’s retirement has left his former teammates and friends emotional, who took to Twitter to bid farewell to the southpaw.
Here’s how cricket fraternity bid farewell to Gautam Gambhir:
Congratulations @GautamGambhir on a glorious career. You were a special talent and had a Gambhir role in our win in the World Cup finals. Batting with you at Napier was extra special. Enjoy your second innings with family and friends! pic.twitter.com/dNpyNfbLe6
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 5, 2018
It's been an absolute honour to play alongside you and against you. Congratulations on a phenomenal career and I wish you a happy retirement, @GautamGambhir 👏🇮🇳
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 5, 2018
One of Indias best has bid farewell to the game, @GautamGambhir you have been inspirational to me and many others over the years and now I am sure is the beginning of even better things from you. #gautithefighter #GautamGambhirRetires
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 5, 2018
242 matches, 10324 runs – wouldn’t have been possible without your hard work & persistence to the field. Thank you for your exemplary contribution to the field of cricket @GautamGambhir it was an honour to share the pitch with you. Wishing you all the success. #ThankYouGambhir https://t.co/RN2iAslO71
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 5, 2018
Bidding farewell to one of the finest players of the country @GautamGambhir. Wish the best for you in the future Gauti Bhai 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qr14XVN3q7
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) December 5, 2018
Played with all heart with some amazing match winning knocks for the country and I’m sure your journey ahead will be even better. Happy retirement brother @GautamGambhir
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 4, 2018
Congratulations @GautamGambhir on a fantastic career. You can be very proud of the way you played every time you stepped on to the cricket field. I cherish the truly memorable moments we shared & am sure you will continue to serve the country in your own ways. #ThankYouGambhir
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 4, 2018
Congratulations on your fantastic journey @GautamGambhir . I’m extremely happy I had the privilege of sharing a bit of it with you 🏏 pic.twitter.com/DNxBSZ9daz
— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 5, 2018
Thank you for all the memories, @GautamGambhir. It was an honour to play under you at KKR and also to see you bat at the most difficult situations. Wishing you a great life ahead. pic.twitter.com/6skfk9SiOv
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) December 4, 2018
It Was a pleasure sharing the dressing room with you for India KKR and DD. Wish you all the very best in your future endeavours. @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/Bw6P4eSvw8
— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) December 5, 2018
Congratulations mate. Respect…always. And love this video. Enjoy the next chapter. @GautamGambhir https://t.co/VnaVyJRNBw
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) December 5, 2018
Congratulations Gautam on your decorated career, you’ve always been a fierce competitor along with a very astute leader! Enjoy your next chapter. #topclass
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 5, 2018
Congratulations on a career full of Glory and a lot of Guts @GautamGambhir!! The wins of 2007, 2011 World Cups and an endless list of great knocks will stay fresh in our minds always! Thank You for your contribution to Indian Cricket! Wish You all the best for future endeavours!
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) December 5, 2018
I have seen the 🔥 and passion up close way back in '03 in a game vs Leicester and it has been the same right throughout. A fantastic career and pleasant heroic 🏆 memories for people to cherish and talk about for years. All the best @GautamGambhir, you deserve an applause 👏 pic.twitter.com/j5768KgCEf
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) December 5, 2018
Goodbyes are never easy, but I'd like to congratulate @GautamGambhir bhai on a great career. You always rose to the big occasion. As a youngster, it was special for me to play for the first time in IPL under you for @KKRiders.Wish you all the best in your next innings. #skipper pic.twitter.com/MMQalgWKsE
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) December 5, 2018
Congratulations on ur wonderful career @GautamGambhir bhai.I hav had lots of learning experiences playing alongside u.Thanks 4 ur guidance.U hav played ur cricket like a warrior. Thank u 4 so many lovely memories which u gave 2 all of us. Best wishes for ur future endeavours 👍👊 pic.twitter.com/4Uh6vsx6Dv
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) December 4, 2018
One of India's bests. Farewell @GautamGambhir. All the best for your future!
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) December 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lbalaji55/status/1070128391485980673
I know how deeply #gautamgambhir loved the game. He took the most difficult decision of his life & decided to retire. He will be always remembered for his : His 75 in #WT20 final '07, highest in match. His 97 in 2011 WC final, highest for #India. Wish you luck! #GambhirRetires pic.twitter.com/kDUZrxlPFa
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) December 4, 2018
Congratulations Gautam bhai on your fantastic career.. it has always been a pleasure playing with and against you.. You have been a fighter and a great motivator.. Thanks for your contributions to Indian cricket.. Happy retirement 🙏👍🏻 @GautamGambhir #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/uG4lkOlRg7
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) December 5, 2018
All the best for your future @GautamGambhir! Well done on a fantastic career! Proud of what you’ve contributed to Indian cricket. Best to family.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 5, 2018
Spent the evening with the Run Machine but didn’t realize that he had called time on his career @GautamGambhir brilliant career,always played with passion..congratulations GG on a fabulous time playing the sport…Godspeed to you🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) December 4, 2018
It’s always a tough decision to make but you only know when is the best time. I wish you all the best for your future @GautamGambhir. Great memories of playing together for the country. Keep rocking! pic.twitter.com/caEJEdXJAc
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 4, 2018
That was really inspiring video gauti bhai…i have learned a lot from you not as a player but as a human also…thanku bhaii #worldcuphero #Unbeaten
— praveen kumar (@praveenkumar) December 4, 2018
Farewell champion @GautamGambhir !! Wish you luck, power and happiness for the life ahead! pic.twitter.com/WlDOsfYrRl
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) December 4, 2018
