New Delhi: This year, international cricket bid farewell to a generation of greats.
From Indian icons Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara to stars like Steve Smith, Angelo Mathews, Martin Guptill, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nicholas Pooran, retirements poured in across formats, marking a definitive end of an era.
As legends of Test and white-ball cricket stepped away almost in unison, the sport witnessed a rare moment of transition—one that leaves behind towering records, unforgettable performances, and a legacy that will shape the next phase of world cricket.
Here is ThePrint’s list of notable retirements of cricketers in 2025.
Virat Kohli
In May, during the India-Pakistan conflict, when there was tension in the sub-continent, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a long 14-year career.
In 123 test matches, 68 of them as captain, he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life,” Kohli said in an Instagram post.
He said there’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. “The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” he wrote, adding that he will always look back at his Test career with a smile.
Kohli’s retirement came a month ahead of the five-match series in England. He had made his debut against the West Indies in 2011.
“I just coloured my beard two days ago. You know it’s time when you are colouring your beard every four days,” said Kohli in July.
Rohit Sharma
A few days before Kohli’s announcement, his long-term companion in the Indian squad, Rohit Sharma, also announced his retirement from red-ball cricket.
He played 67 test matches and scored 4301 runs with an average of 40.57. He scored 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries with a best of 212 against South Africa in 2019.
“It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in white. Thank you for all the love and support over the years,” he said.
Sharma’s Test debut was memorable in 2013. He scored 177 runs in his first innings against the West Indies at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
Cheteshwar Pujara
India’s stalwart Test No. 3 announced his retirement from all formats in August. He has a distinguished Test career with 7,195 runs in 103 matches.
He played his last Test match in 2023. He struck 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in his Test career.
Pujara made his debut against Australia in 2010.
Angelo Mathews
Seasoned Sri Lankan cricketer, Angelo Mathews, announced his retirement from Test cricket in May.
In 2009, he made his debut against Pakistan and excelled as an all-rounder and a captain in his 17-year journey.
Mathews led his country when stalwarts such as Sanath Jayasuriya, T. Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Murlidharana and Mahela Jayawardena had already retired from cricket.
Mathews is only behind Sangakkara and Jayawardena for most Test runs by a Sri Lankan. He played 118 matches and scored 8,167 runs and also took 33 wickets.
“It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, International Test Cricket!” he posted, announcing his retirement, adding that a chapter ends, but the love for the game will always remain.
Steve Smith
Not only from Test cricket, but legendary names also retired from white-ball cricket this year. Among them was 35-year-old Steve Smith, who announced his retirement from ODI in March.
His decision came just after the Australian team’s loss at the Champions Trophy semi-final.
“Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way,” he wrote.
Smith led his country in 64 ODIs from 2015 to 2025. He scored 5,800 runs in 170 matches with 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
Glenn Maxwell
On 2 June, Maxwell wrote that after much thought, he had decided to retire from One Day International cricket.
In a career spanning from 2012 to 2025, he played 149 ODIs, scoring 3,990 runs and picking 77 wickets.
Explosive batter Maxwell was part of Australia’s World Cup-winning teams in 2015 and 2023.
Mushfiqur Rahim
Bangladesh’s most experienced player, Mushfiqur Rahim, also retired from the ODI format this year.
A week after Bangladesh returned home from a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, he announced his retirement on Facebook.
Rahim played 274 matches and scored 7,795 runs at an average of 36.42. He had made his debut in the 2007 World Cup.
“I gave more than 100% with dedication and honesty,” he wrote on his retirement.
Martin Guptill
The 38-year-old former New Zealand opener, Martin Guptill, said goodbye to international cricket in January.
“As a young kid, it was always my dream to play for New Zealand, and I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have played 367 games for my country,” Guptill said in a statement issued by the New Zealand Cricket.
He said that among the most memorable moments for him as a fielder was his stunning direct hit run-out of MS Dhoni during New Zealand’s semifinal win against India in the 2019 World Cup in England.
He scored 7,346 runs in 198 ODIs and also played 47 Tests from 2009 to 2016.
Nicholas Pooran
West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran’s retirement announcement shocked the cricket world in June.
The 29-year-old finished with 1,983 runs in 61 ODIs and 2,275 runs in 106 T20Is.
“Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field… it’s hard to put into words what that truly means to me. To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart,” he wrote.
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Heinrich Klaasen
South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Klaasen stepped away from international cricket in June.
Klaasen played his last game for South Africa in the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to New Zealand in Lahore in March.
He played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20s for South Africa.
“It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with,” he wrote.
Mitchell Starc
The 35-year-old Australian pacer Mitchell Starc announced his retirement from T20 cricket.
Starc is cited for giving priority to Test cricket and the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Starc played 65 T20s after making his debut in 2012 and was part of the team that won the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” Starc said.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)