WTC 2025-27 Cycle Might Be Farewell Tour for These Icons

The World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle has already seen various goodbyes, with the legendary and childhood favourite players bidding their farewell. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Heinrich Klaasen, Dean Elgar, and many more have marked ends to their Test careers in the current cycle.

This cycle also served as an indication for the next generation of cricketers taking over for their national teams, as seen in various teams such as Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, and others. While South Africa and Australia clash against each other at Lord’s for the World Test Championship title, other teams have begun their preparations for the next cycle.

Fans will already be missing out on a number of their childhood heroes in the Test format this time, but these numbers are expected to increase as the next cycle commences. Let’s take a look at some players for whom the next World Test Championship cycle could also be the last.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the finest all-rounders of all time, who has dominated in the Test format for the Indian team over the past few years. Standing at the top spot in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings for a long time, Jadeja has dominated in the Tests consistently, playing a crucial role with both bat and ball. Playing 80 Tests, he has scored 3370 runs at an average of 34.74, with 4 centuries and 22 half-centuries.

But this is not even half of the contribution he has given to the Indian cricket team in this format. Jadeja has also taken 323 wickets in 80 matches at an average of 24.14 and an economy rate of 2.53 runs per over. Along with that, he has also taken 13 four-wicket hauls and 15 five-wicket hauls, as his impressive form continues.

Having crossed the age of 36 years by the time the WTC 2023-25 ends, Jadeja is already close to his retirement. By the time the next World Test Championship cycle comes to an end, he will be nearing the age of 39 years, before which he might be looking forward to hanging up his boots on his Test career. Jadeja has still maintained his fitness levels, and he still delivers match-winning performances for the Indian team, especially in home games.

With his age reaching almost 39, and the rise of young spinners such as Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, Jadeja might be playing his last World Test Championship cycle, which will last from 2025-2027. His WTC contribution has been massive for the Indian team, as Jadeja has scored 1885 runs and taken 131 wickets in 39 matches.

Steven Smith

Steven Smith, also known as Smudge, has been the root of the Australian batting line-up, holding the top order for a long time. But now it seems that the Fab Four star will be having his final time in his favourite format during the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. He has already announced his retirement from the ODI format in the recently concluded Champions Trophy.

In his Test career, Smith has scored 10271 runs in 116 matches at an average of 56.74, with 36 centuries and 41 half-centuries, showcasing his massive contribution to Australia’s batting line-up. Although his contribution remains great, as the next WTC cycle approaches, the Australian team will also be looking forward to the new and long-term options.

Currently, Steven Smith is 36 years old, and by the end of the next World Test Championship cycle, he will complete the age of 38 years, almost the age of retirement. Along with that, he was heavily involved across all the formats for the Australian team, and with the captaincy pressure in some tournaments, it has also given him physical and mental fatigue.

As of now, there are no plans for Smudge to retire from the Test format, but his departure will surely leave a big void for the team’s batting line-up. In the World Test Championship, he has scored 4151 runs in 53 matches at an average of 50.62, with 13 centuries and 18 half-centuries.

Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma, the current captain of the South African cricket team, has helped his team to dominate in the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. With his captaincy and batting skills, the Proteas were able to make it to the finals of the current cycle and they even topped the standings. In his Test career, Bavuma has scored 3606 runs in 63 matches at an average of 37.95, with 4 centuries and 24 half-centuries.

His leadership has surely played a crucial role for the South African team in the Test format, as the team had been on a 7-match winning streak as they reached the finals against Australia. Bavuma’s form lately has also been solid, scoring a century in the Tests against Pakistan, and he also played a good knock in the current WTC final match.

With the demanding Test schedule, he has also suffered from injuries lately, as the elbow and hamstring issues have been there for the Proteas captain over the last few months. Combined with other factors such as captaincy stress, managing team resources, and much more, also adds to his physical and mental stress, which was clearly visible when South Africa batted in the 2nd innings in the WTC final.

Besides that, Temba Bavuma is currently 35 years old, and by the time the next cycle concludes, he’ll reach the age of 37, at which most South African players choose to retire. In the World Test Championship, he has scored 1926 runs in 28 matches at an average of 43.77, with 3 centuries and 11 half-centuries.

Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon, one of the finest and also the oldest players for Australia in the World Test Championship, might also be looking forward to his retirement in the next cycle. Lyon has been the crucial part of the team’s spin attack for more than a decade, continuing to dominate with his spin abilities. He has been a star of the modern era, with 553 wickets in 136 matches at an average of 30.19, with 26 four-wicket hauls and 24 five-wicket hauls.

With the historic 500 wickets mark, Lyon has also shown remarkable consistency for his team, playing 100 Test matches consecutively. By the end of the next WTC cycle, he will be looking forward to overtaking Stuart Broad and Glenn McGrath to enter the top five most wicket takers in the Test format. Various analysts also say that he will be looking forward to overtaking Glenn McGrath, to finish his Test career as the 2nd leading wicket taker for Australia in Tests.

A major factor which could contribute to his retirement in the next WTC cycle is his age, as Nathan Lyon currently stands at 37 years, and by the end of the next cycle, he will be closing in on his 40s. Along with that, he has also been mentoring the young talents of the Australian team, such as Matt Kunhemann and Todd Murphy, showing signs that he won’t be there for long.

Although his performance and motivation to play for the team could make him last for the next two cycles, the selectors could play a major role. They are looking forward to the young talents, such as Scott Boland, who have been able to dominate for the team ever since their debut. But with Lyon’s retirement, the team will surely miss out on the main spinner.

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, the current captain of the England cricket team, might also be having his last leg in the upcoming World Test Championship cycle, starting with the series against India. He has been the finest all-rounder for the team in the Test format, scoring 6728 runs in 113 matches at an average of 35.41, with 13 centuries and 35 half-centuries, and taking 213 wickets at an average of 32.15.

Carrying the Bazball era as the team’s captain, Stokes has seen support from various teammates such as Joe Root, Harry Brook, Mark Wood, and many more. But there have also been a few of them who have already retired, such as Stuart Broad, and James Anderson. Stokes has already sacrificed the Hundred and ODI matches to maintain his focus on the Test format.

He has been practising hard for the Test series against India and Australia, which will be hosted by England this year. As of now, Ben Stokes is 34 years old, and by the end of the next WTC cycle, he will be standing at the age of 36, which may not be old enough to retire for some fans. But it should be noted that the English captain has been suffering from injuries lately.

Ben Stokes suffered from knee and hamstring issues, which have limited his availability for the England team. And each time he plays Tests for the team, his physical strain also increases, which indicates that the next WTC cycle could also be his last, looking forward to his fitness and age concerns.

Which of these retirements will hurt you the most, as the upcoming World Test Championship cycle is also expected to mark the end of an era for several cricket fans?