Year Ender 2025: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith Among Top 10 Cricketers Who Retired

New Delhi: 2025 was a memorable but sad year for the cricket world. Many legends said goodbye to international cricket—some from entire formats, some from just one. The retirement of superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test and Australian stars staying away from white ball. These retirements are not just the end of a career but the end of an era. There was space for the new generation, but there was a void in the hearts of the fans. Let's remember the top players who hung up their boots in 2025.

Rohit Sharma – Retirement from Test Cricket

'Hitman' Rohit said goodbye to Test cricket in May 2025. The decision after poor form and missing the WTC final. 4300 runs in 67 tests, 12 centuries. Many victories under captaincy. But will still play in ODI.  

Virat Kohli – Farewell from Test, fans in shock

King Virat of modern cricket also announced his retirement from Test in May. 123 Tests, 9230 runs, 30 centuries. Most successful Indian Test captain. Form dip and decision before the England series. ODI continues. Will Virat's Chase Master avatar miss the test?

Steve Smith—Goodbye from ODI

Australia's batting genius Steve Smith retires from ODI after the Champions Trophy 2025. 170 matches, 5800 runs, 12 centuries. Won two World Cups. Test and T20 continue. Will Smith's ODI legacy live on?

Glenn Maxwell—Retires from ODI

'Big Show' Maxwell announced his retirement from ODI in June 2025. 149 matches, 3990 runs, 77 wickets. That historic 201* against Afghanistan. Decision for preparation of the T20 World Cup. Will Maxi's blast be missed in ODI?

Heinrich Klaasen – Retirement from all formats

South African power hitter Klaasen retired from all international formats in June. Focus on family and franchise. Explosive batting in 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is. Will Klaasen's middle-order blast be missed?

Marcus Stoinis—Goodbye to ODI

Australian all-rounder Stoinis retired from ODI before the Champions Trophy. Famous for clutch performance. Continued in T20.

Martin Guptill—Retires from all formats

New Zealand opener Guptill retired from all formats in January. World Cup double century record holder.

Dimuth Karunaratne—Retires from all formats

Sri Lanka's quiet opener retires from all formats after 100 tests. 7200 test runs.

Wriddhiman Saha—Retires from all formats

Saha, one of India's best keepers, retired from everyone after Ranji. The gloves work excellently.

Piyush Chawla – Retires from all formats

Leg spinner Chawla retired from all cricket in June. World Cup winner, magician of the googly.

What is the lesson of 2025?

These retirements show that cricket is changing. Impact of franchise leagues and workload. But new talent will come. Sadness for the fans, but memories immortal. New chapter in the 2026 T20 World Cup!