The year 2025 marked an emotional turning point in international cricket as several legendary players officially announced their retirement. These cricketers were not just match-winners but icons who shaped modern cricket with their skill, consistency, and leadership. Their departure signals the end of a glorious chapter and the beginning of a new generation in the sport.
From thrilling Test battles to high-pressure limited-overs encounters, these players delivered unforgettable moments that will live on in cricketing history. As fans bid farewell to their heroes, here is a look at the international cricketers who retired in 2025.
All International Cricket Retirements in 2025
The year 2025 has emerged as a defining phase in international cricket, witnessing the retirement of several high-profile players across formats. From modern-day greats to experienced campaigners, these announcements have significantly reshaped national squads and marked the beginning of a new era in world cricket.
Some players stepped away from specific formats, while others brought the curtain down on their entire international careers. Together, these retirements reflect a broader transition as teams prepare for upcoming global tournaments and invest in younger talent.
Below is a comprehensive list of international cricketers who announced some form of retirement in 2025, along with the formats they exited.
International Cricketers Retired in 2025
- Virat Kohli (India) – Retired from Test cricket
- Rohit Sharma (India) – Retired from Test cricket
- Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) – Retired from Test cricket
- Steve Smith (Australia) – Retired from One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – Retired from ODIs
- Marcus Stoinis (Australia) – Retired from ODIs
- Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – Retired from ODIs
- Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka) – Retired from all international formats
- Nicholas Pooran (West Indies) – Retired from all international formats
- Andre Russell (West Indies) – Retired from all international formats
- Piyush Chawla (India) – Retired from all international formats
- Cheteshwar Pujara (India) – Retired from all international formats
- Wriddhiman Saha (India) – Retired from all international formats
- Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) – Retired from all international formats
- Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – Retired from all international formats
- Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) – Retired from all international formats
A Period of Transition for World Cricket
These retirements have not only altered the makeup of several national teams but also highlighted a generational shift underway in international cricket. The departure of experienced leaders and match-winners has opened doors for emerging players, as teams recalibrate their strategies for the future.
As the cricketing world moves closer to major ICC tournaments, 2025 will be remembered as a year of reflection, renewal, and transformation—one that truly marked the end of an era.
End of an Era: Complete List of International Cricketers Who Retired in 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, the cricketing world bids farewell to a remarkable generation of players. This year witnessed an unprecedented wave of retirements, from modern legends stepping away from specific formats to others calling time on their entire international careers. The shift toward franchise leagues, workload management, and personal priorities has accelerated these decisions, reshaping teams across the globe.
From India’s batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hanging up their Test whites to young stars like Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen prioritizing T20 franchises, 2025 truly marked the end of an era. Below is a comprehensive, verified list of all major international cricketers who announced retirements in 2025, including the formats they retired from and key career highlights.
Complete List of International Cricket Retirements in 2025
| Player | Country | Retired From | Date Announced | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | All formats | January 8 | NZ’s highest T20I run-scorer (3,531 runs); Only Kiwi men’s ODI double centurion (237*) |
| Varun Aaron | India | All formats | January 10 | Express pacer; 18 international wickets; IPL 2022 winner with GT |
| Tamim Iqbal | Bangladesh | All formats | January 10 | Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer (15,192 runs); 25 international centuries |
| Shapoor Zadran | Afghanistan | All formats | January 31 | 80 wickets in 80 white-ball games; Key in Afghanistan’s early ODI success |
| Wriddhiman Saha | India | All formats | January | 40 Tests; 1,353 runs & 92 dismissals; Reliable keeper in Dhoni era |
| Marcus Stoinis | Australia | ODIs | February 6 | 1,495 ODI runs & 48 wickets; Part of 2023 World Cup-winning team |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | Sri Lanka | All formats (Tests focus) | February | 7,222 Test runs in 100 matches; Former captain & top-order anchor |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | ODIs (final format) | March 5 | 7,795 ODI runs; Veteran keeper-batter |
| Mahmudullah | Bangladesh | All formats | March | Most ODI World Cup centuries by a Bangladeshi (3); All-round leader |
| Steve Smith | Australia | ODIs | March 5 | 5,800 ODI runs; Two-time World Cup winner (2015, 2023) |
| Rohit Sharma | India | Tests | May 7 | 4,301 Test runs; 12 centuries; Led India in 24 Tests |
| Virat Kohli | India | Tests | May 12 | 9,230 Test runs; 29 centuries; Iconic chaser & leader |
| Glenn Maxwell | Australia | ODIs | June | 3,990 ODI runs & 77 wickets; Famous 201* vs Afghanistan in 2023 WC |
| Heinrich Klaasen | South Africa | All formats | June 2 | Explosive keeper-batter; Franchise cricket focus at age 33 |
| Nicholas Pooran | West Indies | All formats | June 9/10 | WI’s most-capped T20I player; Highest T20I run-scorer (2,275 runs) |
| Piyush Chawla | India | All formats | June 6 | Two-time World Cup winner (2007 T20, 2011 ODI); 446 FC wickets |
| Andre Russell | West Indies | All formats | July | T20I specialist; 84 caps; Power-hitting all-rounder |
| Angelo Mathews | Sri Lanka | Tests | August | 8,167 Test runs; Veteran all-rounder & former captain |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | India | All Indian cricket | August 24 | 7,195 Test runs; 19 centuries; Wall of Indian Test batting |
| Asif Ali | Pakistan | All formats | September | 58 T20Is; Hard-hitting middle-order batter |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | T20Is | September 2 | Left-arm pace ace; Focus on Tests & ODIs for 2027 WC |
| Amit Mishra | India | All cricket | September 4 | 76 international wickets; Three IPL hat-tricks |
| Rassie van der Dussen | South Africa | ODIs | 2025 | Consistent middle-order batter |
| Peter Moor | Zimbabwe/Ireland | All formats | July | Rare dual-country Test player |
Why 2025 Was a Watershed Year
- Indian Legends Depart: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements, just days apart during IPL 2025, shocked fans and paved the way for Shubman Gill’s captaincy.
- Franchise Cricket Influence: Young guns like Pooran (29) and Klaasen (33) chose lucrative T20 leagues over international duty, signaling a growing trend.
- Australian White-Ball Overhaul: Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, and Starc stepped away from formats ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- Generational Shift: Veterans like Guptill, Tamim, and Pujara closed chapters, while teams like Bangladesh lost multiple stalwarts post-Champions Trophy.
These farewells not only create voids in dressing rooms but also open doors for emerging talents. As franchise leagues boom, international cricket must adapt to retain its stars.
What do you think—will we see more early retirements in 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments! If you’re a cricket fan reminiscing about these legends, hit that like and share button.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Wisden, Khel Now, BBC Sport, and official player announcements (updated as of December 25, 2025).
Keywords: cricket retirements 2025, Virat Kohli retirement, Rohit Sharma Test retirement, Nicholas Pooran retirement, Heinrich Klaasen, end of era cricket, international cricketers retired 2025
