4 legendary batsmen who played their last Test against India

Test Cricket is, undoubtedly, the most challenging format of the game. From testing the skill to sapping the energy in trying conditions, this format of the game requires formidable levels of mental and physical toughness to excel at the top level. Over the years, there have been many such batsmen who have stood the test of time to emerge as all-time batting greats in the sport's longest format.

These batsmen, thanks to their remarkable batting abilities, have had famed careers that spanned over many glorious years. As is the case with any legendary sportsman, the last games in these illustrious careers were played amid much hype and fan frenzy. The fact that these gentlemen would no longer be seen in their nation's colours moved many fans to tears, thereby marking emotional goodbyes.

The fifth and final Test between England and India will witness one such legend bid adieu to our favourite sport. England's Alastair Cook, who is hailed as one of the finest batsmen of the country, will take the field one last time for his country against the same opposition that he made his debut back in 2006.

On this occasion, we take a look back at 4 legendary batsmen who played their last Test match against India.

#4 Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh is regarded as one of Australia's all-time greats

Renowned for his brilliant captaincy and exemplary batsmanship, Australia's Steve Waugh would go down as one of the finest middle-order batsmen to have played the game.

Bankable, gritty and a possessor of sound technique, Waugh was one of his team's most prolific run-scorers during the 90s and early 2000s. With 10,927 runs, he is also one among the 12 players to have surpassed the 10,000 run mark in Test Cricket.

Playing 168 Tests for Australia, the 53-year-old, along with Ricky Ponting, is his country's most capped cricketer. Steve Waugh made his final Test appearance in the famous match between India and Australia played at Sydney from 2-6 January 2004. The New South Welshman scored 40 and 80 in the 1st and 2nd innings of the Test match respectively before departing to a rousing farewell by the SCG.

#3 Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist was one of the fiercest openers in the game

From getting the team off to blazing starts to winning matches single-handedly, Adam Gilchrist played a pivotal role in moulding Australia into a formidable side.

The dashing left-handed batsman was regarded as one of the most destructive openers to have ever played the game. Light on his feet, Gilchrist generated incredible bat speed that often helped him to take numerous bowlers to cleaners all across the globe and went on to score 5750 runs in 96 Tests.

Owing to his swashbuckling skills, Gilly, as he's fondly called, is a popular figure among the fans and will always be remembered as a prime entertainer in the game.

The man from Western Australia walked out to a roaring reception in his last Test against India on 24-28 January 2008 at Adelaide and scored 14 runs before bidding adieu.

#2 Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis stands tall as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket

Unbelievably consistent with the bat and ever-reliable with the ball, South Africa's Jacques Kallis has made a mark in history as one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the sport.

With 13,289 runs in Test Cricket, Kallis stands as the third highest run-scorer in the format. The man also holds an account for 292 scalps, making him the only cricketer in the history of the game to achieve the double of 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in both Tests and ODIs.

The former South African great hung up his boots after playing his final Test against India at Durban from 26-30 December. Kallis scored his 45th century in the last inning of his career, making him one of the few cricketers to score a hundred in their final Test.

#1 Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara is arguably the finest batsman produced by Sri Lanka

Kumar Sangakkara shone brightly as one of the most prolific left-handed batsmen of his era. The southpaw, along with Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, played a major role in steering Sri Lankan cricket forward post the retirement of the likes of Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Representing the island nation in 134 Tests over 15 years, Sangakkara amassed as many as 12,400 runs, including 38 centuries, making him the highest run scorer for Sri Lanka. The former wicket-keeper batsman played his ultimate Test against India at the P Sara Oval stadium from 20-24 August 2015. Sangakkara received the prestigious guard of honour from his teammates and was also congratulated by the Indian team after scoring 18 and 32 respectively.

Honourable mention: Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook is England's highest run-scorer in Test Cricket

Touted as someone who could run Sachin Tendulkar close in the race for records, England's Alastair Cook would be seen taking guard for one last time in the upcoming Test between England and India.

Ever since impressing on his debut against India in 2006, Cook has gone on to emerge as one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game. Scoring runs consistently against different oppositions, the man from Gloucestershire reigned supreme as England's batting mainstay for years together.

With 12,254 runs and 32 hundreds in 160 Tests (as of 5 September 2018), Cooky, as he's known among his teammates, currently stands as England's highest run scorer and century maker.

The man will be in action from 7 September at The Oval and the English fans would be hoping for nothing less than a fairytale end whilst they bid goodbye to one of their favourite sons.