Former India opening batsman Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, saying his time to continue with the game was over.
“After more than 15 years of cricket for my country, I want to retire from playing this beautiful game,” Gambhir said while speaking to ANI.
The 37-year-old Delhi lad played 58 Tests for India between 2004 and 2016, scoring 4154 runs at an average of 41.95, with the help of nine hundreds and 22 fifties. He also played 147 ODIs between 2003 and 2013, besides featuring in 37 T20Is for the Men in Blue.
Gambhir will always be remembered for his match-winning knocks of 75 and 97 in the finals of 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s retirement:
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
@GautamGambhir Thank u for the love & leadership my Captain.U r a special man and may Allah always keep & happy…& u should smile a bit more
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 4, 2018
It’s been a great journey. Some memorable moments which the country lived with you, you can be very proud of how you played the game, will always remain Unbeaten @GautamGambhir !#ThankYouGautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/q5noANmgLX
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 4, 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 on a phenomenal career, @GautamGambhir!
2007 WT20 🏆
2011 World Cup 🏆
No.1 Test Team 🥇#ThankyouGauti https://t.co/k0t7jfLD8i— BCCI (@BCCI) 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
I gotta say.. I don't like retirements.. especially of people that I admire deeply. Congratulations @GautamGambhir on an amazing career. I'm grateful for all that we shared on and off the field. It's been an honour skip. My best wishes on ur second innings.
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) December 4, 2018
You had a wonderful career @GautamGambhir, one that you can be genuinely proud of. You played a big part in two of the biggest moments in Indian cricket, you were among the best in test cricket at your peak and you will have a page in the IPL. Few get that from this game. Go well
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 4, 2018
Just saw the news that @GautamGambhir has retired from all forms of the game. A great servant of the game & no doubt will proper in whatever he decides to do after. The 1st player I interviewed in @IPL back in 2015 will never forget it. #allthebest
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) December 5, 2018
Farewell champion @GautamGambhir !! Wish you luck, power and happiness for the life ahead! pic.twitter.com/WlDOsfYrRl
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) December 4, 2018
Gauti I wish you all the best going forward brother..u have been a true champion and fighter for india 🇮🇳 lots of love pic.twitter.com/uTx0pgwKII
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 4, 2018
Paaji congratulations on ur wonderful cricket career 😊🙏 u r a great leader and u r great human being im really blessed sharing dressing room with u 😊🙏god bless you 😊
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) December 4, 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
https://twitter.com/ChaharDeepak9/status/1069978748907212800
Congratulations @GautamGambhir bhai on a wonderful career. I will always cherish the fond memories we had on and off the field. Best wishes for the future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/tk4f7ccfUT
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 4, 2018
I literally cried, Gauti. Thanks for being the motivation for many years. Have a good life ahead.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 4, 2018
@GautamGambhir congratulations on a wonderful career. one of the best batsman in world cricket ,specially against spinners. @GautamGambhir made my generation of spinner realise how important bowling skills were.
Punished the quality balls also
Privileged to share memories with u pic.twitter.com/TvcsCXH1eA— RAMESH POWAR (@imrameshpowar) December 4, 2018
2007 World T20 Final 75 (54)
2011 ODI World Cup Final 97 (122)Well played, @GautamGambhir 🇮🇳🏏 https://t.co/KPX4LPi9ff
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) December 4, 2018
Congrats on a Gr8 innings @GautamGambhir. You said the script writer ran out of ink, but I am sure he’s got a new pen to write the script for the next innings! Best wishes & many thanks for everything you did for @KKRiders 🙏 https://t.co/24o54D70rN
— Venky Mysore (@VenkyMysore) December 4, 2018
test average of 42, ODI average of 40. 20 international hundreds. nearly 200 first class games averaging 50. 300 list A games. terrific IPL record. @GautamGambhir can be very satisfied at the end of his professional career. well played!
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) 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
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
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
I cherish so many fond memories with you my friend. We’ve played some really good cricket together. You’re a true fighter. You have had a superb career. I wish you all the best for all your future endeavours @GautamGambhir. pic.twitter.com/ePswk4IBDk
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) December 4, 2018
thank you for being such an inspiration @GautamGambhir paji ! wish you loads of happiness in life #legend #respect https://t.co/Uy1Brplvh7
— Gurkeerat Mann (@gurkeeratmann22) December 4, 2018
Congratulations @GautamGambhir bhaiya on a great cricket career. You've always inspired me, and I cherish the time spent with you in various dressing rooms. Best wishes for your second innings. https://t.co/KxWv11cj33
— Sheldon Jackson (@ShelJackson27) December 4, 2018
Have so many fond memories playing with @GautamGambhir bhaiya who is a true fighter, a champion player. He was never hesitant to fight for the youngsters. Delhi will miss his presence. Wish him the best for the second innings. #GautamGambhirRetires #ThankYouGauti
— Unmukt Chand (@UnmuktChand9) December 4, 2018
Thanks for the memories, @GautamGambhir. All the best for the next innings of your life 💜#KorboLorboJeetbo, always!#ThankYouGambhir pic.twitter.com/rx7RZitU8j
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) December 4, 2018
The swift 75 of 2007 and the composed 97 of 2011 will forever remain landmarks in India's World Cup history. Let the whistles fly as the hero bids goodbye! #WhistlePodu 🦁💙 pic.twitter.com/4h8Fn15ZtK
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 4, 2018
Always unbeaten in our hearts! ❤#ThankYouGambhir #DelhiCapitals @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/G6mbydy8bw
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 4, 2018
End of a chapter, a new one begins! 😢
We wish you a great future ahead, @GautamGambhir! 🙏🏽
#ThankYouGambhir for the fond memories! 👍🏽Image Courtesy: @IPL pic.twitter.com/XoWrCMjLRs
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) December 4, 2018
