The years 2024 and 2025 have been a year of emotions for fans of cricket everywhere. A number of cricketing greats also retired and their fans will remember them by their great legacies in the game. Whether it was Indian heavy-hitters such as Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, or international superstars such as Steve Smith and Nicholas Pooran, the retirement notices were frequent and furious across the formats. The Top 10 most influential retirements of 2024 and 2025: the date of retirement, the formats that left the stage, and the highlights of the careers.
Top 10 Cricketers Who Retired in 2024 – 2025
| # | Player | Retirement Date(s) | Role | Formats Retired |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | T20I – 29 June 2024Test – 12 May 2025 | Right-hand batter | T20I, Test |
| 2 | Ravindra Jadeja | 30 June 2024 | All-rounder | T20I |
| 3 | R. Ashwin | 6 January 2025 | Off-spinner, lower-order bat | Test |
| 4 | Mushfiqur Rahim | 5 March 2025 | Wicketkeeper-batter | ODI |
| 5 | Heinrich Klaasen | 2 June 2025 | Wicketkeeper-batter | All formats |
| 6 | Nicholas Pooran | 10 June 2025 | Wicketkeeper-batter | All formats |
| 7 | Steve Smith | 5 March 2025 | Top-order batter | ODI |
| 8 | Piyush Chawla | 6 June 2025 | Leg-spinner | All formats |
| 9 | Shakib Al Hasan | 14 May 2025 | Left-arm all-rounder | All formats |
| 10 | Trent Boult | 18 June 2024 | Left-arm fast bowler | All formats |
1. Virat Kohli
- Retirement Dates: T20I – 29 June 2024, Test – 12 May 2025
- Formats Retired: T20I, Test
- Overview: One of the greatest batters of the modern era, Kohli led India with unmatched passion and scored 75+ international centuries.
2. Ravindra Jadeja
- Retirement Date: 30 June 2024
- Format Retired: T20I
- Overview: Ravindra Jadeja is a dynamic all-rounder known for his sharp fielding, consistent spin bowling, and match-turning cameos with the bat.
3. R. Ashwin
- Retirement Date: 6 January 2025
- Format Retired: Test
- Overview: India’s spin wizard with 500+ Test wickets, Ashwin combined sharp intellect with skill to dominate batters across conditions.
4. Mushfiqur Rahim
- Retirement Date: 5 March 2025
- Format Retired: ODI
- Overview: Bangladesh’s most dependable wicketkeeper-batter, Mushfiqur played over 400 international matches and led from the front.
5. Heinrich Klaasen
- Klassen Retirement Date: 2 June 2025
- Formats Retired: All formats
- Overview: A fierce middle-order striker for South Africa, Klaasen was known for his big-hitting ability and calm under pressure.
6. Nicholas Pooran
- Retirement Date: 10 June 2025
- Formats Retired: All formats
- Overview: West Indies’ explosive wicketkeeper-batter, Pooran was a franchise T20 star with fearless stroke play and sharp glovework.
7. Steve Smith
- Retirement Date: 5 March 2025
- Format Retired: ODI
- Overview: One of Australia’s finest Test batters, Smith retired from ODIs after a decade of elegant stroke-making and match-winning knocks.
8. Piyush Chawla
- Retirement Date: 6 June 2025
- Formats Retired: All formats
- Overview: A leg-spinner with vital international and IPL experience, Chawla was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
9. Shakib Al Hasan
- Retirement Date: 14 May 2025
Formats Retired: All formats - Overview: Bangladesh’s cricketing icon, Shakib was a generational all-rounder who frequently topped ICC rankings. His consistency with both bat and ball made him a global T20 star and a reliable match-winner in all formats.
10. Trent Boult
- Retirement Date: 18 June 2024
- Formats Retired: All formats
- Overview: One of New Zealand’s greatest pacers, Boult’s lethal swing and World Cup heroics made him a modern fast-bowling legend.
Conclusion
The retirement of these giants, an era in world cricket has ended. Whether it is the class of Kohli and Smith or the fight of Jadeja and Mushfiqur, all these players have given memorable moments behind. As the Cricket enters the new generation, the years 2024 and 2025 will be remembered as a year of transition for cricket. The new generation of superstars is ready to shine.
