The retirement of VVS Laxman from international cricket did not come as a surprise to India’s sporting public considering he had a poor tour of Australia. But his decision to give it all up with immediate effect was astonishing. It was a selfless call, one that sits well with the man’s good nature — the perfect gentlemanly cricketer if ever there was.

While the cricketing world waxes eloquent on his batting skills and labour the point about how he went about playing his best-loved game, it is important not to get emotional about his exit, however extraordinary his decision was.