London, Jan 2 (NationPress) Former England spinner Monty Panesar has expressed that the BCCI should have arranged a farewell Test for batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with off-spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin, emphasizing that they deserved a far more deserving send-off for their immense contributions to cricket.

Panesar highlighted that India has not adequately honored its retiring stars, contrasting this with England's tradition of recognizing player achievements. He noted that England ensured memorable farewell Test matches for legends like Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

"The BCCI should have organized farewell Test matches for R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. They warranted that respect. England honors its players upon retirement — for instance, Stuart Broad and James Anderson received impressive farewells — but India does not match this standard," Panesar remarked to IANS.

Kohli and Rohit concluded their Test careers in May last year, while Ashwin declared his retirement from international cricket following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in December 2024.

Regarded as one of the modern era's greats, Kohli ended his 14-year career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches, averaging 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He retired as the fourth-most successful Test captain, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins).

Rohit accumulated 4,301 runs from 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. As an opener in Tests, he maintained an impressive average of 42.81 over 66 innings, with nine centuries and eight fifties. He also led India to the finals of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) but fell short against Australia at The Oval.

Ashwin concluded his career with 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Tests, becoming India’s second-leading wicket-taker after the legendary Anil Kumble. He also scored six Test centuries and 14 fifties with the bat. His last international appearance was during the day-night Test in Adelaide, where he registered figures of 1-53.

In white-ball formats, Ashwin played 181 matches and took 228 wickets. In 116 ODIs, he claimed 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one fifty, with a top score of 65 in 63 innings. He ranks as the 13th-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for India.

In 65 T20Is, he took 72 wickets at an average of 23.22, with his best figures being 4/8. He scored 184 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.28, with a best score of 31. He stands as the sixth-highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

With a total of 765 wickets in 287 matches, he ranks as India's second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble's 953. He was also part of the teams that won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy with India.