5 Indian Players who Said Adieu to Sports in 2020

 

Sports just initiated for entertainment purposes, but it evolved to be one of the most crucial topics that could even trigger rift among any individual across the world. Also, these sportspersons are no less than a most celebrated superstar who has the potential to even influence the general audience. Thus, many brands cash on these sports person's popularity by utilizing them for brand endorsement purposes. It is really heart wreaking when these personalities sign off from our addictive sports. But, as the saying goes every good thing has to come to an end. Here we see the most popular sports persons announcing their retirement. 

1.Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Keep Calm & Carry on

 

Though Hockey is our national game, Cricket has always grabbed our attention and the cricketers are the most celebrated celebs in our country. Dhoni is one such fab cricketer who resides in almost every individual's heart for his talent and humbleness. He is always been addressed as Captain cool for his efficiency in staying calm even in the most crucial point of the match.

 The Ranchi, born MSD was excellent in the sport since his childhood, he was not just into Cricket but was also good in badminton and football, MSD was also selected at district and club level competition in these sports. From being a goalkeeper in football, he was chosen by his coach to be a wicketkeeper in the cricket team. This event changed his life, as his wicketkeeping skills made him a regular wicketkeeper in the Commando cricket club team for three consecutive years until 1998. These matches got MSD recognized and he was selected for Vinoo Mankad trophy Under 16 Championship team between 1997-1998. Post this, Dhoni made his Ranji trophy for Bihar in 2000 and later made an entry in India A-Team. 

Dhoni's continuous efforts and back to back centuries grabbed the attention of then, Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly. After India A team, he was selected in the ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour in 2005. After several high and low, Dhoni was elected as the captain of the Indian squad for the World squad for the World Twenty20 in 2007. Under his captaincy, Indian won the 2011 world cup and in 2015 World Cup India performed well in the initial matches but lost to Australia in the semi-finals. The most loved star-cricketer announced his retirement on 15 August 2020, citing his retiring age. 

2.Sunita Lakra: Replace  Activity with Achievements

 

Sunita has been representing India being part of the women's national field hockey team. She has announced her retirement from Hockey India early this year on 2nd January 2020. Being born into an agricultural family, Sunita chooses to stand unique by opting to become a sportsperson. In her community, it was a custom for young boys and girls to take up football. But, Sunita's father admitted her to hockey training as he felt football could be baleful for his daughter.

 To begin her sports career, she was sent to the Sports Authority of India in Rourkela when she was just six years old. Being trained rigorously, Sunita joined the team in 2008 and made her international debut in 2009. Post which she became the backbone of the Indian women's hockey team. She went on to become the captain Indian Team in the Asian Champions Trophy held in 2018. Also, Sunita has won a bronze medal for the country in Asian Games 2014. She considers herself fortunate to have been participated in the Rio Olympics held in 2016 in which India made its first appearance in more than three decades.

 The 28-years old Indian women's hockey team defender has decided to set aside her brightly shining sports career after her knee injury. As she would have to undergo another knee injury and Sunita being unaware of her recovery duration called it quits for her blooming hockey career.

3.Suresh Raina: Dream Without Fear

The aggressive left-handed batsman, Suresh Raina is renowned as one of the best fielders in the world cricket teams. Suresh decided to play cricket in 2000 when he just 13 years old and attended Guru Gobind Singh Sports College in Lucknow. Within just two years, he became the captain of Uttar Pradesh U-16s and was also selected for the U-19 tour to England, and Sri Lanka with the U-17 team.

 In 2003, he made his debut for Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy opposite to Assam. Later, he was selected for the U-19 World Cup 2004 in which he scored three half-centuries. In 2005, Suresh was awarded a Border-Gavaskar Scholarship to train at the Australian Cricket Academy. His contribution towards the Indian cricket team has been commendable for several years. In 2011, Suresh served as the deputy captain for one-dayers and T20s under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy, but after his injury, Suresh was named as the captain and Harbhajan Singh became his deputy. After India winning that series Suresh's captaincy was highly appreciated. 

Furthermore, his personal performance splendid alongside being the team's captain, he was applauded worldwide for his captaincy skills. With the pride of being part of the Indian cricket team, Suresh announced his retirement at a young age of 33 on 15th August 2020. 

4. Deepa Malik: Impossible is Nothing

Being the first Indian woman to win a medal in Paralympic Games, Deepa is certainly the pride of our country. She has won a silver medal in the shot put at the 2016 Paralympic Games. Later in 2012, Deepa was honored with the Arjuna award. Following that she was also conferred for the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017. 

Deepa further went on to make records in Asian Para Games 2018 and she was the only Indian woman to win medals in three consecutive Asian Para Games for the years 2010, 2014, and 2018. Furthermore, till date, Deepa has also won about 58 national and 23 International medals under all disciplines. 

The 49-years only India's lone woman Paralympics declared her retirement. Satistified being an active athlete, Deepa is all set to venture into the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), to support and serve the other parasports to accomplish their dreams. 

5. Leander Adrian Paes: A Born Player

Leander is one of the greatest doubles tennis players in sports history. Being born to athletes' parents Vece Paes and Jennifer Paes, Leander has a sports spirit in his blood. In 1985, he joined Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Chennai and was trained by Dave O'Meara. 

The training helped him earn international fame through the 1990 Wimbledon Junior title and raised to the top level in the junior world rankings when he was just 17 years old. Later in his career, Leander focused more on doubles resulting in him winning mixed doubles events at the Australian and Wimbledon with Martina Navratilova. 

Leander also led the Indian tennis team at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 and even won two golds under men's doubles category and mixed doubles category. He has maintained his doubles ranking in the top 20 until 2007. Considering his age and stamina to represent the country Leander has decided to retire in 2020 but, he is determined to cling to tennis even after his retirement.