In a poignant tribute to cricket legends, countries around the world are embracing the tradition of retiring jersey numbers, a symbolic act that ensures the preservation of the players’ lasting legacies. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently added another luminary to this esteemed list by retiring the iconic No. 7 jersey worn by former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The retirement of Dhoni’s jersey number signifies a solemn commitment that no other Indian cricketer will don the revered No. 7, underscoring the indelible mark Dhoni has left on the nation’s cricketing history. This follows the BCCI’s earlier decision to retire jersey No. 10, famously worn by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, solidifying the tradition as a poignant gesture of respect and acknowledgment for unparalleled contributions to the sport.
India is not alone in this practice; Australia, too, has participated in the tradition by retiring the jersey number of Phillip Hughes, an emotional tribute to the late cricketer. Meanwhile, New Zealand has honored cricketing stalwarts such as Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum in a similar manner, further cementing the global significance of this heartfelt gesture.
The trend is not restricted to cricket powerhouses, as former Nepal captain Paras Khadka saw his jersey number (77) retired, emphasizing the universal recognition of cricketing excellence. The list of retired jerseys reads like a who’s who of cricketing greatness, with Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10, Phil Hughes’s No. 64, and now MS Dhoni’s No. 7 joining the ranks. New Zealand, too, boasts a distinguished list, including Stephen Fleming (7), Daniel Vettori (11), Brendon McCullum (42), Chris Harris (5), Nathan Astle (9), and Chris Cairns (6).
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