Nations frequently come up with heartfelt methods to remember and pay tribute to outstanding cricket players who have made important contributions to the game. Retirement of jersey numbers is one such act, a symbolic one that helps to preserve these cricket great’ legacy. This custom pays homage to the excellence of the player who once proudly wore the retired number during their career by signifying that no other player from that nation would wear it.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s jersey will be retired, per a recent decision made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The iconic No. 7 shirt that Dhoni famously wore will never be given to another cricket player in the nation as an homage to the great wicketkeeper-batter. This comes after the BCCI decided to retire jersey number 10, which was worn by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
Other nations have also followed this custom; Australia retired Phillip Hughes’ jersey number, while New Zealand honored Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum in a like way. Paras Khadka, the former captain of Nepal, also had his jersey number (77) retired, highlighting the gesture’s worldwide relevance in honoring and commemorating success.
All of the jerseys that the corresponding cricket boards have retired are listed below:
MS Dhoni (India) –
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Philio Hughes (64(Aus)
NZ’s Stephen Fleming – 7
NZ’s Daniel Vettori – 11
NZ native Brandon McCullum, 42
NZ’s Chris Harris – 5
Nine Nathan Astle (NZ)
NZ’s Chris Cairns – 6
NEP’s Paras Khadka: 77