The year 2024 marked the retirement of several cricketing legends, bringing an end to an era for many fans and players. While cricket fans celebrated India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, they also had to bid farewell to several prominent players from the international stage.
Lists the top 10 international cricketers who retired in 2024
1. Ravichandran Ashwin (International Cricket)
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Veteran Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has bid adieu to international cricket after his last match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Ashwin, who made his debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe, has been one of India’s most successful spinners.
During his career, he played 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20 matches. His record speaks of 537 wickets in Tests, 156 in ODIs, and 72 in T20s, making him a cricketing legend in the truest sense of the world.
2. Virat Kohli (T20 International)
The cricketing world has said goodbye to one of its modern greats, as Virat Kohli ended his T20 International career after playing a stellar role for India in winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli’s final T20 match was against South Africa in Barbados, where he scored a crucial 76 runs in the final, helping India win their first T20 World Cup in 11 years.
Over 125 T20 matches, Kohli amassed 4188 runs, including 38 half-centuries and one century, with an impressive average of 48.7.
3. Rohit Sharma (T20 International)
Rohit Sharma, the Indian Test and ODI captain also confirmed his retirement from International T20 cricket following the 2024 T20 World Cup. Rohit played 159 matches for India at an average of 31.34 in international T20 cricket, scoring 4231 runs with 5 hundreds and 32 half-centuries following his debut in 2007. His retirement leaving a huge mark on Indian cricket is that he retired following an India World Cup victory.
4. Shikhar Dhawan (All Formats)
Shikhar Dhawan, who played with consistency in all formats, retired from both domestic and international cricket in August 2024. He has played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20 matches since his debut in 2010 against Australia. With 6793 runs in ODIs, 2315 runs in Tests, and 1759 runs in T20s, Dhawan has left an indelible mark on India’s cricketing history.
5. James Anderson (International Cricket)
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James Anderson, England’s legendary fast bowler, retired after playing his final match against the West Indies at Lord’s in July 2024. Anderson, who made his debut in 2003, is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. He took 704 wickets in 188 Tests and 269 wickets in 194 ODIs. His incredible longevity and skill have made him a key figure in England’s cricketing history.
6. David Warner (International Cricket)
Australian opener David Warner, also announced his retirement from international cricket in 2024, after playing his last match in the T20 World Cup final against India. Warner, who was more famous for his aggressive batting style, scored 8786 runs in 112 tests, 6932 runs in 161 ODIs, and 3277 runs in 110 T20 matches, his 49 centuries throughout all formats sealing his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest-ever.
7. Tim Southee (Test Cricket)
New Zealand cricket’s legendary bowler Tim Southee retired from Test cricket after playing his last match against England in Hamilton on December 17, 2024. Having started his Test career in 2008, Southee took 391 wickets in 107 Tests, making him the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the format. His remarkable contributions to New Zealand cricket will be remembered for years to come.
8. Ravindra Jadeja (T20 International)
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also confirmed his retirement from T20 International cricket, effective after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Jadeja, who entered international T20 cricket in 2009, played 74 T20s for India, scoring 515 runs and taking 54 wickets. His fielding, besides batting and bowling, was outstanding, thus making him one of the most versatile players in the world.
9. Dinesh Karthik (All Formats)
Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman, had revealed that he would retire from all forms of cricket once the 2024 season of IPL ends. Karthik first came into the international arena back in 2004 and represented India in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20 matches. He made 1752 runs in ODIs and 686 runs in T20s, where his crucial finishes for India will remain memorable throughout his career.
10. Heinrich Klaasen (Test Cricket)
South African cricketer Heinrich Klaasen retired from Test cricket in 2024 after his last match against India in Cape Town on January 3. Klaasen had debuted in Test cricket in 2019 but could not continue his career for long. He could manage only 104 runs in 4 Tests, with a modest average of 13, and was a part of some memorable moments, although in limited opportunities at the highest level.
The year 2024 has seen the retirement of several cricketing giants who have left an indelible mark on the game. From Ashwin’s mastery of the ball to Kohli and Rohit’s contributions with the bat, these players have entertained and inspired generations of fans. Their retirement marks the end of an era, but their legacies will continue to live on in the annals of cricket history. These players will be known for not only their record-breaking but also for how they changed the game of cricket, leaving behind their marks throughout their illustrious careers.
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