Discover the top 10 cricketers who retired this year (2024), reflecting on their careers and unforgettable contributions to cricket. The year 2024 has been full of exciting moments in cricket, with many big records being made and broken. However, fans were especially emotional about the retirement of some big names in the game. Many were more focused on the T20 retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja than on India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. The retirement of these star players has made fans sad, as they have been key figures in Indian cricket for many years.
With just a few days left in 2024, it’s time to look at the top 10 cricketers who will retire this year. These players have had remarkable careers and have made significant contributions to the sport. Their retirements mark the end of an era for cricket fans, and their absence will be deeply felt. As we say goodbye to these legends, we can only remember the incredible moments they gave us on the field. The cricket world will surely miss their skills, dedication, and passion for the game.
Here is a list of players who retired from cricket this year:
10. Ravichandran Ashwin (International Cricket)
Indian veteran bowler Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He played his final match in Adelaide. Ashwin made his international debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe. Over his career, he played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20 matches for India.
In Tests, Ashwin scored 3503 runs at an average of 25.76 and took 537 wickets with an economy rate of 2.84. In ODIs, he scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44 and took 156 wickets with an economy rate of 4.93. In T20s, he scored 184 runs at an average of 26.29 and took 72 wickets with an economy rate of 6.91.
9. Virat Kohli (T20 International)
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli retired from T20 cricket after the T20 World Cup 2024. His final T20 match was against South Africa in Barbados, where he scored 76 runs in the final, helping India win the ICC title after 11 years.
Virat made his T20 International debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe. Over his career, he played 125 T20 matches, scoring 4188 runs with an average of 48.7 and a strike rate of 137.04. He also hit 38 half-centuries and one century. In addition to his batting, Virat took 4 wickets in 13 innings, with an economy rate of 8.05.
8. Rohit Sharma (T20 International)
Rohit Sharma, the captain of India’s Test and ODI teams, announced his retirement from T20 cricket after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 final. He made his debut against England at Kingsmead in 2007. In 159 T20 matches for India, he scored 4,231 runs with an average of 31.34 and a strike rate of 140.89. His record includes 32 half-centuries and 5 centuries.
7. Shikhar Dhawan (all-format)
Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from both domestic and international cricket on 24 August this year. He made his international debut in 2010 against Australia in Vizag. Over his career, Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20 matches for India.
In Test cricket, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, including five half-centuries and seven centuries. In ODIs, he scored 6793 runs at an average of 44.11, with 17 centuries and 39 half-centuries. In T20s, Dhawan scored 1759 runs at an average of 27.92.
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6. James Anderson (International Cricket)
England’s legendary bowler James Anderson played his final match against the West Indies at Lord’s in July 2024. He played 188 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20 matches for England. In Test cricket, he took 704 wickets with an average of 26.46 and an economy rate of 2.79. In ODIs, he claimed 269 wickets with an economy rate of 4.92, and in T20s, he took 18 wickets with an economy rate of 7.85.
5. David Warner (International Cricket)
Australian cricketer David Warner also announced his retirement from international cricket this year. He played his final match against India during the T20 World Cup 2024. Warner has played 112 Tests, 161 ODIs, and 110 T20 matches for Australia. In Tests, he scored 8,786 runs with an average of 44.6, 6,932 runs in ODIs with an average of 45.01, and 3,277 runs in T20s with an average of 33.44. Throughout his career, Warner scored 49 centuries in international cricket.
4. Tim Southee (Test)
New Zealand’s experienced bowler Tim Southee played his final Test match against England in Hamilton on 17 December. He made his debut against England in 2008 when he was just 19 years old. Over his career, Southee played 107 Test matches for New Zealand, scoring 2,245 runs with an average of 15.48. He also took 391 wickets, with an economy rate of 3.02. Southee is the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for New Zealand.
3. Ravindra Jadeja (T20 International)
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from T20 cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup. He made his debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka. Jadeja played 74 T20 matches, scoring 515 runs at an average of 21.26 and taking 54 wickets with an economy rate of 7.13.
2. Dinesh Karthik (all-format)
Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement from all formats of cricket after IPL 2024. He made his international debut in September 2004. Karthik played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20 matches for India. In Tests, he scored 1025 runs with an average of 25. In ODIs, he made 1752 runs with an average of 30.21, and in T20s, he scored 686 runs with an average of 26.38.
1. Heinrich Klaasen (Test)
Heinrich Klaasen played his final Test match against India in Cape Town on January 3 this year. He made his Test debut against India in 2019. Klaasen scored 104 runs in 4 Test matches for South Africa, with an average of 13 and a strike rate of 45.22.
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