In 2024, several Indian cricketers bid farewell to the sport, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements and unforgettable memories. These players, admired for their contributions to Indian cricket, ended their careers after years of dedication on and off the field. From batsmen who delivered iconic centuries to bowlers who claimed crucial wickets, their journeys inspired millions of fans worldwide.
This year marked the retirement of cricketers who played key roles in India’s victories across formats. Some represented India in Test matches, showcasing resilience and skill, while others excelled in limited-overs cricket with match-winning performances. Their contributions not only brought glory to Indian cricket but also influenced the next generation of players.
Retirement is an emotional moment for any athlete, and these cricketers received heartfelt tributes from teammates, fans, and the cricket fraternity. Their retirements symbolize the end of an era and the beginning of new opportunities in life and cricket.
As these cricketing heroes step away from the pitch, they leave behind inspiring stories of hard work, perseverance, and passion. Dive into the list of Indian cricketers who retired in 2024 and celebrate their extraordinary careers and unforgettable contributions to Indian cricket.
10. Wriddhiman Saha (All formats)
On Sunday, 3rd November 2024, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha announced his retirement from international cricket. He shared that he would retire from both international and domestic cricket after the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.
Saha played 40 Test matches and 9 ODIs for India between 2010 and 2021. In Tests, he scored 1,353 runs, including three centuries. However, in ODIs, he scored only 41 runs across five innings. Throughout his career, he often played in the shadows of MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant.
Saha’s last match for India was in 2021 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium against New Zealand.
9. Barinder Sran (All formats)
Left-arm fast bowler Barinder Sran from Punjab retired at the age of 31. He started his career with a lot of promise, making his T20I debut in June 2016 against Zimbabwe. In that match, he impressed everyone by taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs, which was the best bowling performance by an Indian bowler on T20I debut. However, he couldn’t build on this strong start.
Sran played in six ODIs and two T20Is during his career, taking a total of 13 wickets.
8. Shikhar Dhawan (All formats)
Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan played his final match for India in December 2022. He had a great international career and played a big role in India’s win at the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
In August 2024, Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, including the IPL. He represented India from 2010 to 2022, playing 34 Test matches, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is. During his career, he scored a total of 10,867 runs, including 24 centuries and 55 half-centuries in international cricket.
7. Ravindra Jadeja (T20Is)
Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became the third Indian player to retire from T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Although he didn’t perform very well in the tournament, he was a key player for the team for over 10 years because of the balance he brought to the squad.
Jadeja made his T20I debut in 2009 and played 74 matches in this format. He took 54 wickets with an economy rate of 7.13 and scored 515 runs with the bat during his career.
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6. Rohit Sharma (T20Is)
Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, following Virat Kohli. He was India’s top scorer in the tournament, with 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70.
Rohit retired as the highest run-scorer in T20I history. He played 159 matches, scoring 4,231 runs at a strike rate of 140.89. His record includes five centuries, 32 half-centuries, and 205 sixes – the most in T20Is.
5. Virat Kohli (T20Is)
Virat Kohli is one of the most famous cricketers in the world, and his T20I retirement shocked his fans. After playing a match-winning innings in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, Kohli announced he would retire from T20 internationals.
Kohli started his T20I career in 2010 against Zimbabwe and played 125 matches. He scored 4,188 runs with an impressive average of 48.69. His career included one century and 38 half-centuries.
4. Kedar Jadhav (All formats)
Kedar Jadhav announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in June. The 39-year-old played 73 ODIs and nine T20Is for India. In ODIs, he scored 1389 runs at an average of 42 and took 27 wickets. He also played 95 matches in the IPL for five different teams.
3. Dinesh Karthik (All formats)
Dinesh Karthik started his international career in September 2004, and his final match for India was at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. He played 26 Test matches, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is from 2004 to 2022, scoring a total of 3463 runs, including one century and 17 half-centuries.
After the 2024 IPL season, Karthik announced his retirement from international cricket, domestic cricket, and the IPL.
2. Varun Aaron (All formats)
Varun Aaron, a right-arm fast bowler from Jharkhand, retired after the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy. He was a talented player known for his high-speed bowling, but injuries affected his career. Varun played nine Test matches and nine One Day Internationals for India between 2011 and 2015, taking 29 wickets in total.
1. Saurabh Tiwary (All formats)
Former batter Saurabh Tiwary was the first Indian cricketer to retire in 2024. The left-handed player spent 17 years playing First-Class cricket for Jharkhand and also played in the IPL until 2021.
He played three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2010, scoring 49 runs. After that, he didn’t get any more chances to play for the national team. With no hopes of playing international cricket again and his domestic career not going well, Tiwary decided to retire in February 2024, following the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season.
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