Retirements in 2024: A Year of Farewells for Many Cricket Stars. The year 2024 has proven to be a significant year of retirements in the world of cricket, with several prominent players bidding farewell to the sport. From veteran spinners to fast bowlers and top-order batsmen, many big names have decided to end their international careers.

One of the most shocking announcements came on December 18, when India’s seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed his retirement from international cricket. The announcement was made at a press conference following the conclusion of the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Brisbane, where Ashwin, alongside captain Rohit Sharma, confirmed his decision.

Players Who Retired from All Formats of International Cricket:

• James Anderson (England): The highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test cricket, Anderson retired in May 2024 after a distinguished career. After playing his final Test match in July 2024 against the West Indies, he concluded his career with 704 wickets in 188 Test matches.
• Shikhar Dhawan (India): Dhawan, who hadn’t represented India since 2022, officially retired from both international and domestic cricket in August 2024. However, he will continue playing in the Legends League Cricket, a tournament for retired cricketers.
• David Malan (England): The left-handed batter Malan announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2024, following England’s exit from the 2023 World Cup.
• Shannon Gabriel (West Indies): The fast bowler Gabriel announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2024 but will continue playing domestic and franchise cricket.
• David Warner (Australia): Warner retired from both Test and ODI formats in 2023 and made his final appearance in all formats of international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• David Wiese (South Africa/Namibia): Wiese, who played for both South Africa and Namibia, retired from all international formats after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Seibrand Engelbrecht (Netherlands): Engelbrecht, who previously represented South Africa’s U-19 team, announced his retirement after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• Dinesh Karthik (India): Karthik, the wicketkeeper-batter, announced his retirement in June 2024. However, he will continue playing in South Africa’s T20 League.
• Dean Elgar (South Africa): Elgar, who retired in December 2023, made his final appearance in January 2024 during a home Test series against India.
• Sourabh Tiwary (India): Tiwary, who last played for India in 2010, retired from professional cricket after representing Jharkhand in the 2024 Ranji Trophy.
• Neil Wagner (New Zealand): Wagner retired from international Test cricket in February 2024 after a distinguished career, including 391 wickets in 107 Tests.
• Colin Munro (New Zealand): Munro, who had not played for New Zealand since 2020, officially retired from international cricket in May 2024.
• Kedar Jadhav (India): The all-rounder Jadhav, who represented India in 82 matches, retired from all formats in June 2024.
• Will Pucovski (Australia): Pucovski, at the young age of 26, retired from cricket in August 2024 due to recurring head injuries.

Players Who Retired from International Cricket in December 2024:

• Imad Wasim (Pakistan): Pakistan’s all-rounder Imad Wasim, who had briefly reversed his retirement in 2024, announced his permanent retirement from international cricket in December.
• Mohammad Amir (Pakistan): Fast bowler Amir, like Imad Wasim, had briefly returned to international cricket after his 2020 retirement. He officially announced his retirement in December 2024.
• Mohammad Irfan (Pakistan): Irfan, the towering left-arm fast bowler, also announced his retirement in December, concluding his career with 4 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 22 T20Is.

Players Who Retired from Specific Formats:

• Tim Southee (New Zealand): Tim Southee retired from Test cricket on December 17, 2024, following New Zealand’s series against England. With 391 wickets in 107 Tests, Southee left a significant legacy in the longest format.
• Henrich Klaasen (South Africa): Klaasen, who was only given limited opportunities in Test cricket, retired from the format in January 2024 after playing just four Tests.
• Virat Kohli (India): Kohli, one of India’s greatest batsmen, announced his retirement from T20 International cricket in June 2024 after winning the T20 World Cup. However, he remains available for ODIs and Tests.
• Rohit Sharma (India): Following in Kohli’s footsteps, Rohit Sharma also retired from T20I cricket after India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024, but he will continue to represent India in ODIs and Tests.
• Ravindra Jadeja (India): Jadeja, following his teammates Kohli and Sharma, retired from T20I cricket a day after them in September 2024. He continues to play in ODIs and Tests.
• Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): The all-rounder Shakib retired from T20I cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. He also announced his retirement from Test cricket in October 2024 but will continue playing in ODIs.
• Mahmudullah (Bangladesh): The Bangladeshi all-rounder retired from T20Is in October 2024. He had previously retired from Tests in 2021 but continues to represent Bangladesh in ODIs.
• Brian Masaba (Uganda): The captain of Uganda’s cricket team, Brian Masaba, retired from T20I cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup but will remain available for the 50-over format.

As 2024 comes to a close, these retirements mark the end of an era for many cricket legends who have contributed immensely to their respective teams. Their departures leave a significant void, but their legacies will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.