But sometimes players have all the time in the world to make the toughest decision in cricket – to decide when to call time on one's career and retire. To unstrap pads, dump bat in the kitbag, mark the run-up one final time.
It's never easy to retire and slip into an uncertain afterlife.
Recently, Jimmy Anderson and David Warner retired in somewhat similar circumstances. Anderson's farewell was on a gorgeous sunlit morning at Lord's. The Test ended before lunch on Day 3 but an almost full house waited respectfully till mid-afternoon to celebrate the extraordinary career (188 Tests, 704 wickets) of England's greatest.
Warner's last dance was at Sydney, his home ground, ending a spectacular 15-year-old career that brought him 20,000 international runs and 48 hundreds.
Both Anderson and Warner were allowed a grand departure, their final Test appearance announced in advance to give them a dignified exit in front of adoring fans. Yet the emotional moment was not without a touch of sadness – both were told, politely but firmly, that it was time to go.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
In Zen zone: Moulding the marble to match the paint
Smooth curves in pink intertwine the three figures so seamlessly that the marble they are made out of emotes a unified soul.
Food, drinks, and soulful beats set the mood for Odella's launch
It was a starry weekend in Green Park as founders Nipun Khanna and Samir Aggarwal hosted the grand launch of Odella.
India has every reason to be proud: Shahana on Santosh being shortlisted for Oscars nom
Actor Shahana Goswami's film Santosh, has inched closer to being nominated for the International Feature Film category in the 2025 Academy Awards.
Caught Rahane, bowled Ashwin
Given a choice, R Ashwin would have liked to have Ajinkya Rahane permanently at slips for his bowling, such was their combination.
Unbreakable Santosh back to rallying with an eye on Dakar
Astride a rally spec of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, CS Santosh was riding through the dirt on the banks of the Egidillo river in Spain when memories of him flying through the dunes at the Dakar Rally flashed across his mind.
India leave the Gabba with honours even
At almost all times during the Brisbane Test, Australia were ahead of the game.
Now, becoming the best player in the world is what I care about most
What must it be like to fulfil your life's greatest dream at 18? It's been less than a week since Gukesh D became world champion, beating China's Ding Liren, and the Indian teen is still wrapping his head around this delightful predicament.
Thinking bowler who could at will outwit batsmen
The off-spinners' club lost its brightest star when R Ashwin announced his retirement in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Nissan, Honda may gain in India from potential merger
MERGER COULD ALIGN THE FIRMS' ELECTRIFICATION AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION
INDIA'S RECORD GOLD IMPORT WAS DUE TO AN ERROR IN CALCULATION
A surge in gold imports that widened India's trade deficit to a record last month and pushed the rupee to an all-time low was due to an error in calculation, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
