West Indian fast bowling legend Michael Holding once said, "Fast bowling is a very difficult thing to do. By the time you understand it fully it is too late to bowl fast!"

How those words hold true for Javagal Srinath. By the time he matured from being a young, erratic quick to a bowler who knew all the tricks of the trade, it was time to retire.

A body that could no longer take the strain of international cricket was the main reason for this fast bowler from Mysore, Karnataka, calling it a day.

Sri, as his team-mates fondly call him, was a star whose real value will only be realized in his absence from the team.

Also see: The New King!

Images: Getty Images