Picture Credit: Twitter/@BCCI
Last match of a big player always remains to be an emotional moment for fans and would be close to any player if it means to be his farewell game. In this article we will look at 4 Indian players who have scored 50 (or) more runs in their last ODI match with a criteria taken of playing atleast 10 matches in their ODI career.
1. Ajay Jadeja in 2000 Asia Cup
Ajay Jadeja played his last ODI match against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2000. Unfortunately post that he got banned for match fixing scandal in 2000 from all forms of game for 5 years. Later in Jan, 2003 his ban was lifted by Delhi High Court making him eligible to play domestic cricket but, he never returned to international cricket since then.
India chasing 296 to win 2000 Asia Cup final, Ajay Jadeja fought a lone battle of scoring 93(103) but unfortunately with no support from other batsman, India lost that game by 45 runs. Due to that loss India were eliminated Asia Cup 2000 Final.
Ajay Jadeja's 93 remains to be the highest score by any Indian player in the last career ODI match.
2. Rahul Dravid in 2011
Rahul Dravid who was dropped from Indian ODI side was surprised on being recalled for the 2011 ODI series against England. After getting selected, he announced that he would retire from ODIs after this series. Rahul Dravid who was phenomenal in Tests during 2011 tour of England tried to replicate the same in ODIs.
Dravid played his last ODI on 16 September 2011 in Cardiff and smashed 69(79) at number 3 position. Unfortunately, India ended up losing his farewell match and series but Rahul Dravid as a batsman was stellar with the bat.
3. Sachin Tendulkar in 2012 Asia Cup
Sachin Tendulkar who achieved a milestone of smashing 100th international century vs Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2012, in the next game smashed 52(48) against Pakistan. India chased down 330 runs in that match with the help of Kohli's 183. However, no one would have expected that to be last ODI match of Sachin Tendulkar. He wasn't pick in limited-overs squad for the next two series and on 23 December, 2012 Tendulkar decided to announce his retirement from ODIs.
4. MS Dhoni 2019 World Cup
MS Dhoni played his last international match against New Zealand in World Cup 2019 semi-finals. He ended up smashing 50(72) but however that run-out ended the hopes of Team India, and the way in which Dhoni ended his international career has been very sad for his fans and followers. MS Dhoni also later regretted for not diving at that moment and getting run-out in a very unfortunate manner.
Post that, Dhoni was expected to play T20 WC 2020 but before that unfortunately due to COVID-19 situation he retired on 15 Aug, 2020 at 7:29 PM.