Image: The 2025 cricket season could be the worst year / © NDTV Sports
For the cricketing world, the retirements of star players often come with a lot of pain and the disappointment of not seeing favourite icons represent their countries again. The year 2025 has been particularly emotional, as the game bid farewell to some of its most celebrated figures across formats. These players, who defined an era and shaped the fortunes of their respective teams, have stepped away from the formats they once ruled.
| Player | Country | Format(s) Retired From | Retirement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Australia | ODI | 5th Match 2025 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | Test | 7 May 2025 |
| Virat Kohli | India | Test | 12 May 2025 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Australia | ODI | 2 June 2025 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | South Africa | ODI, Test, T20 | 12 May 2025 |
Australia’s Steve Smith was the first major name to hang up his boots this year, retiring from One Day Internationals on 5th March 2025. A mainstay in Australia’s batting order and a player known for his unconventional brilliance, Smith’s absence will surely be felt during future 50-over contests. Soon after, India faced back-to-back farewells in the longest format of the game. Rohit Sharma, known for his calm leadership and crisp strokeplay, played his final Test on 7 May 2025. Just five days later, Virat Kohli – one of the greatest modern-day Test batters – brought the curtain down on his red-ball career on 12 May.
On 2 June, Australia lost another part of its ODI team as Glenn Maxwell said he was stepping back from the format. Maxwell was nicknamed the “destructor” for his explosive batting and useful off-spin. This was not enough for the fans to handle, as Heinrich Klaasen, the Proteas batter, announced his retirement from international cricket. His hard-hitting ability and scoring runs in the deep overs have always been the key for South Africa’s team to grab wins.
When it comes to the ODI cricket knockouts, Steve Smith has been one of the most reliable and composed batters for Australia. Known for his unconventional technique and remarkable temperament, Smith made a name for himself on the biggest stages. Across a career that spanned 170 ODIs, Smith scored 5800 runs at an impressive average of 43.28, including 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. With a strike rate of nearly 87, he blended stability with aggression, perfectly adapting to the demands of modern-day one-day cricket.
| Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 154 | 20 | 5800 | 164 | 43.28 | 6669 | 86.96 | 12 | 35 | 521 | 58 | 90 |
Steven Smith played a crucial role for the Australian team, in winning the 2015 and 2023 World Cups. Hosting the 2015 World Cup at their own home ground, Smith topped the team’s run scoring charts and even dominated the entire tournament. His innings under pressure have been the key to Australia’s win in the World Cup knockouts. Even after 8 years in the 2023 World Cup, Smith was a key player for the Australian team that defeated India to win the title, showcasing his impact on a greater stage.
Besides playing in the World Cup, Smith helped Australia make the semi-finals of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. During his captaincy, the team played strong cricket, though they were beaten by India in the semi-final. On 5th March 2025, Smith finished his One-Day career. His ODI achievements will best be seen through the difference he made when opportunities arose.
The man who led the team well, Rohit Sharma’s Test career was a journey of grit and flair, spanning 67 matches from 2013 to 2024. Scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties, he left a lasting mark. His highest score, a dazzling 212, showcased his ability to dominate attacks. With a strike rate of 57.05, Rohit blended caution with aggression, hitting 473 fours and 88 sixes, while taking 68 catches with sharp hands in the slips.
| Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 116 | 10 | 4301 | 212 | 40.57 | 7538 | 57.05 | 12 | 18 | 473 | 88 | 68 |
Before 2019, Rohit was a middle-order batter, but his shift to opening transformed India’s Test fortunes. As an opener, he became India’s rock and in the World Test Championship (WTC) history, he emerged as India’s highest run-scorer, piling up runs with consistency and class. His leadership and batting ensured India remained a fortress at home, where he thrived, scoring 2,535 runs in 34 matches at an average of 51.73, with 10 centuries, including that epic 212.
His 65.77 strike rate at home reflected his dominance, making him a nightmare for visiting bowlers. Away from home, Rohit faced tougher challenges, managing 1,644 runs in 31 matches at 31.01, with two centuries and 10 fifties. In neutral venues, specifically WTC finals, he scored 122 runs in two matches at 30.50, battling hard but falling short of big scores. But on 7th May 2025, Rohit Sharma finally decided to retire from the Test Format.
From 2011 to 2025, Virat was the soul of Indian Test cricket, a guy who made you believe anything was possible. He played 123 Tests, racked up 9,230 runs at 46.85, with 30 hundreds and 31 fifties. His epic 254* was him at his absolute peak, just tearing bowlers apart. He batted with a 55.58 strike rate, hammering 1,027 fours and 30 sixes, and when he called it a day on May 12, 2025, it felt like losing a piece of the game.
| Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Ducks | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | 210 | 13 | 9230 | 254* | 46.85 | 16608 | 55.57 | 30 | 31 | 15 | 1027 | 30 |
Virat’s fire kept Test cricket kicking. He played with this raw passion that got everyone pumped — fans, teammates, everyone. Leading India, he was unreal, the best Test captain we’ve had. He made the team tough, winning a huge series at home and away, turning India into a Test beast. Under him, the World Test Championship felt like India’s playground. Every time he walked out, you knew he’d give it all.
At home, Virat was a rockstar, piling up 4,336 runs in 55 Tests at 55.58, with 14 centuries. His 59.30 strike rate showed he could grind or go big when needed. Overseas, he was a fighter, smashing 4,774 runs in 66 Tests at 41.51, with 16 hundreds, owning pitches in places like Australia and England. In neutral spots, like the WTC finals, he scrapped for 120 runs at 30.00 across two Tests, but big scores didn’t come.
Glenn Maxwell, dubbed the Big Show, was a crazy fun ride in Australia’s ODI scene from 2012 to 2023. Over 149 matches, he smashed 3,990 runs with a 33.81 average, bagging 4 centuries and 23 fifties. His wild 126.70 strike rate, with 382 fours and 155 sixes, made him a total game-changer in the middle order. When he called it a day on ODIs on November 7th, 2023, he left fans gutted but buzzing with memories of his epic moments.
| Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Ducks | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149 | 136 | 18 | 3990 | 201* | 33.81 | 3149 | 126.70 | 4 | 23 | 12 | 382 | 155 |
Maxwell was the guy Australia leaned on when things got dicey. His fearless batting could turn a match upside down. His unreal 201* off 128 balls against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, fighting through cramps, is a story fans never forget — yanking Australia from a grim 91/7 to chase 292. Then there’s his insane 40-ball century against the Netherlands that same year, the fastest in World Cup history, showing his knack for stealing the spotlight.
Those heroics helped Australia grab their sixth World Cup in 2023, their second with Maxy after 2015, where his quick 66 off 40 balls against India in the semi-final paved the way for the title. At home, he was a fan favourite, piling up 1,499 runs in 56 games at 35.69, with a ton and 10 fifties, always stepping up big. Away, it was trickier — 1,354 runs in 54 matches at 27.63, with one century and 8 fifties. In neutral venues, like World Cups, he was electric, smashing 1,137 runs at 42.11, including that epic 201*.
Heinrich Klaasen, a real cricket firecracker, lit up matches with his monster hits and super-quick hands behind the stumps. When he hung up his international boots on June 2, 2025, at only 33, South Africa felt like it lost a superstar. Fans adored him, and it hit hard when he chose family and T20 leagues over the country, especially since he was still crushing it.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 4 | 8 | 0 | 104 | 35 | 13.00 | 230 | 45.21 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| ODIs | 60 | 56 | 7 | 2141 | 174 | 43.69 | 1829 | 117.05 | 4 | 11 | 200 | 71 |
| T20Is | 58 | 53 | 10 | 1000 | 81 | 23.25 | 705 | 141.84 | 0 | 5 | 72 | 52 |
In ODIs, Klaasen was a total beast, stacking up 2,141 runs in 60 matches with a solid 43.69 average and a blazing 117.05 strike rate. His wildest moment was hammering 174 off 83 balls against Australia in 2023, turning a hopeless chase into a jaw-dropping victory. With 4 centuries, 11 fifties, 200 fours, and 71 sixes, bowlers were terrified of him. In T20Is, he smashed 1,000 runs with a red-hot 141.84 strike rate, including a scorching 81 against India, making spinners look helpless.
Tests weren’t his career highlights as he played just 4, scoring 104 runs at 13.00, with a best of 35. He walked away from Tests in 2024 but proved he could shine in domestic longer games. As a wicketkeeper, he was a spark, snatching 51 catches and 7 stumpings in ODIs, 33 catches and 5 stumpings in T20Is, and 10 catches with 2 stumpings in Tests. Klaasen’s huge moments, like his 2023 World Cup ton against England and guiding South Africa to the 2024 T20 World Cup final, turned him into a legend.