Cricket fans around the world have witnessed emotional farewells as some of the biggest names in the sport announced their retirement in 2024. Whether from all formats of the game, Tests, or T20Is, these players have left an indelible mark on cricket history. From legendary match-winners to emerging heroes, their contributions will be remembered for years to come. Here’s a detailed look at the top cricketers who retired in 2024 and their remarkable careers.
1. Dean Elgar (South Africa) – All Formats
Dean Elgar, the gritty South African opener, bid farewell to international cricket across all formats. Known for his resilience in the Test arena, Elgar led South Africa’s batting with his ability to counter challenging bowling attacks.
Career Highlights:
- Matches: 86 Tests, 8 ODIs, 0 T20Is
- Test Runs: 5347 runs with 13 centuries
- Captaincy: Guided South Africa through key Test series victories
2. David Warner (Australia) – All Formats
The explosive Australian opener David Warner ended his illustrious career, retiring from all formats. Warner was a cornerstone of Australia’s batting lineup for over a decade, renowned for his aggressive stroke play.
Career Highlights:
- Matches: 112 Tests, 161 ODIs, 110 T20Is
- Test Runs: 8786 runs with 25 centuries
- ODI Runs: 6932 runs with a strike rate of 96.55
- Key Role: Played a vital role in Australia’s World Cup wins
3. Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) – Tests
Heinrich Klaasen, the dynamic South African batter and wicketkeeper, retired from Test cricket. Though more known for his white-ball exploits, Klaasen brought stability to the middle order in the longer format.
Key Stat: Test Average: 30.14 with a highest score of 74.
4. Dinesh Karthik (India) – All Formats
One of India’s longest-serving wicketkeepers, Dinesh Karthik, decided to hang up his boots across all formats. A versatile player, Karthik delivered iconic performances as both a batter and a finisher.
Career Highlights:
- India’s hero in the Nidahas Trophy Final (2018) with an unforgettable last-ball six
- Matches: 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, 60 T20Is
- Runs: 1,025 (Tests), 1,752 (ODIs), 686 (T20Is)
5. Virat Kohli (India) – T20Is
While Virat Kohli continues to dominate Tests and ODIs, he officially retired from T20 internationals in 2024. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the best T20 batters, ended his career with stellar performances in World Cups and IPL.
T20I Stats:
- Matches: 125 T20Is
- Runs: 4,188 at an average of 48.7
- T20I Centuries: 1 (with 37 half-centuries)
- Notable Achievement: Highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history
6. Rohit Sharma (India) – T20Is
Another giant of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma, followed Kohli in retiring from T20Is. Known as the “Hitman,” Rohit redefined T20 batting with his flair and ability to score big hundreds.
T20I Stats:
- Matches: 159 T20Is
- Runs: 4231
- T20I Centuries: 4
7. James Anderson (England) – All Formats
England’s legendary pacer James Anderson ended his career in 2024 after decades of dominance with the red ball. With unmatched consistency, Anderson became the most successful fast bowler in cricket history.
Career Highlights:
- Matches: 188 Tests, 194 ODIs
- Test Wickets: 704 wickets
- Odi wickets: 269 wickets
- Records: Leading wicket-taker among pacers in Test cricket
8. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – Test & T20I
Shakib Al Hasan, the pride of Bangladesh cricket, retired from Tests and T20Is. A true all-rounder, Shakib contributed with both bat and ball across formats for nearly two decades.
Key Stats:
- Matches: 71 Tests, 129 T20Is
- Test Runs: 4,609, Wickets: 246
- T20I Runs: 2551, Wickets: 149
9. Moeen Ali (England) – All Formats
England’s dynamic all-rounder Moeen Ali retired from all formats of the game. Moeen’s contributions in both batting and bowling made him invaluable in England’s white-ball revolution.
Career Stats:
- Matches: 68 Tests, 138 ODIs, 92 T20Is
- Test Runs: 3,094, Wickets: 204
- Odi Runs: 2,355, Wickets: 111
- T20I Runs: 1,229, Wickets: 51
10. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – All Formats
Tim Southee, New Zealand’s fast-bowling spearhead, retired from international cricket. With an exceptional ability to swing the ball, Southee was instrumental in New Zealand’s success in Tests and limited overs.
Career Highlights:
- Matches: 107 Tests, 161 ODIs
- Test Wickets: 391
- ODI Wickets: 221
11. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – All Format
India’s premier off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, retired from all formats in December 2024. Known for his tactical brilliance and match-winning spells, Ashwin is one of the finest spinners in modern cricket.
Career Highlights:
- Matches: 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, 65 T20Is
- Test Wickets: 537, Runs – 3503
- ODI Wickets: 156, Runs – 707
- Unique Feat: Among the fastest bowlers to reach 300 Test wickets
Honorable Mentions
- Colin Munro (New Zealand) – All Formats
- Ravindra Jadeja (India) – T20Is
- Matthew Wade (Australia) – All Formats
- Shikhar Dhawan (India) – All Formats
- Barinder Sran (India) – All Formats
- Wriddhiman Saha (India) – All Formats
- Mahmudullah (Bangladesh) – T20Is
Final Thoughts
The retirement of these cricketing legends marks the end of an incredible chapter in cricket history. Each player brought a unique flair and talent to the game, entertaining millions of fans worldwide. While their absence will be felt, their legacies will inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps. As we bid farewell, we celebrate their careers and the unforgettable moments they gave to cricket lovers globally.
Which retirement shocked you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!