5 superstars who retired from cricket in 2018

As we bring the curtains down on 2018, a look back would bring fond memories to all the cricket fans. Not only did the year witness numerous cricket matches thrill the fans all over the globe, but also saw many promising youngsters make their mark in the international arena.

World Championships, domestic T20 leagues, and famed rivalries had once again lived up to all the hype and expectations, thereby giving us all the more reasons to love this beautiful sport.

On the one hand, rivetting Test matches reflected the game's true virtues while on the other hand, newer formats promised to amp up the entertainment quotient.

Amidst all the fervours, a few disappointments too made the mix in 2018. This year, many of our favourite cricketers called it quits on their careers, leaving the fans with plenty to sorrow about. As superstars, who made our tryst with the game all the more special, bid adieu to the game, fans found themselves down in the dumps.

Here, we rewind the clock and take a look at 5 such superstars who retired from cricket in 2018:

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#5 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo added a whole new dimension to the Windies

Few players add value to any team as Dwayne Bravo does. A flamboyant batsman, sharp-witted bowler, and an acrobatic fielder, Bravo is all any captain could ask for.

Bringing the typical Windies flair into the game, the man from Trinidad served his international team for more than a decade, before entering troubled waters.

The star all-rounder announced his retirement in October this year and, in his retirement note, stated, "I must accept that for me to preserve my longevity as a professional cricketer, I must do as others before have done, leave the international arena for the next generation of players."

Bravo played 40 Tests and 164 ODIs for Windies, jointly accounting for 5168 runs and 285 wickets. The 35-year-old cricketer continues to be a hot property across all the T20 leagues and would soon be seen in yellow jersey playing for CSK in IPL 2019.

#4 Rangana Herath

Rangana Herath would go down as one Sri Lanka's finest spin bowlers

A spirited cricketer who would never let his shoulders bog down, Rangana Herath played a pivotal role in handing Sri Lanka many of its treasured victories.

Herath did not just provide an assurance to Sri Lankan cricket post-Muttiah Muralitharan's retirement but further transformed into one of the world's best spinners; a spinner who would single-handedly steer his team to the banks of victory.

Outfoxing the batsmen with his wily craft for nearly two decades, the left-arm spinner accounts for an astounding tally of 433 Test wickets (in 93 games), making him the eighth highest wicket-taker in whites.

In November 2018, a visibly tiring Herath bowled his international career's final delivery against England at Galle International Stadium. Though his teammates couldn't quite manage to send him off on a winning note, the match will certainly go down in Sri Lanka's history books, for it bid a teary farewell to one of cricket's fine players.

#3 Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook bid adieu to the game on a high

Arguably the greatest Test batsman produced by England, Alastair Cook bid adieu to his favourite game on the best note possible.

Coming as a gritty and resilient customer, the man from Gloucester proved to be England's batting mainstay for more than a decade. Testifying this is the fact that the Englishman currently stands as his country's highest run-getter in Tests.

Considered as one of the greatest players of the modern era, Cook chose the recent home series against India to be his final one. And fittingly, the distinguished player scripted a fairytale finish as he scored a memorable century in the last innings of his career.

The moment was treated to be of remarkable significance in English cricket as Cook left behind a seemingly irreplaceable void.

The southpaw represented England in 162 Test matches and amassed as many as 12472 runs, making him the fifth highest run-getter in the history of Test cricket.

#2 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir had played a crucial role in helping India clinch the ICC World Cup in 2011

Earlier this month, India's World Cup hero, Gautam Gambhir, hanged up his boots, bringing an end to an illustrious career.

Counted as one of the gutsiest Indian cricketers to have taken the field, Gambhir brought in a fiery character and flavour to our beloved game. Wearing his heart on his sleeve each time he took to the field, the southpaw was a fierce competitor.

However, in the past few years, Gambhir found the going tough in international cricket. The left-handed batsman also endured a torrid period in the latest IPL, which would have played a major role in prompting him to take a call on his career.

Taking to social media, the Delhi-based cricketer posted an emotional video wherein he announced his retirement. The decision dejected many fans, who still seem to be accompanied by the cherished memories of their favourite batsman.

In Test cricket, the 37-year-old scored 4154 runs in 58 games whereas his ODI record holds credit for 5238 runs in 147 matches.

#1 AB de Villiers

South Africa will be entering the ICC World Cup 2019 without AB de Villiers

In what came as a jolting news to cricket fans, AB de Villiers announced retirement from international cricket in May this year. The retirement call from the champion cricketer not only broke the hearts of millions of fans but also came as a body blow to South Africa's hopes of achieving glory at the upcoming ICC World Cup in 2019.

Thanking his fans and teammates, AB, as he's fondly called, said that he had "run out of gas" and shared that he wanted to step aside whilst he was still playing decent cricket.

The 34-year-old proudly stands as one of the finest batsmen produced by South Africa. While his 114 Tests witnessed him amass 8765 runs, the ODI format saw de Villiers score as many as 9577 runs in 228 games. Additionally, he also holds the record for scoring the fastest 100 and 150 in the 50-over format.

AB, who is currently wielding his bat in domestic T20 leagues, will soon be seen leading RCB's charge at the IPL.