The year 2024 will be remembered as a significant chapter in cricket history, with many renowned international cricketers bidding farewell to the sport. Legends across nations, including some of the biggest names in cricket, played their last matches, leaving fans with unforgettable memories.
Pakistani Cricketers Who Retired
Mohammad Amir & Imad Wasim: Both players initially retired but returned to international cricket briefly before announcing their final retirement in December 2024.
Mohammad Irfan: The towering left-arm pacer also retired in December, marking the end of his unique cricketing journey.
England’s James Anderson Calls It a Day
One of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, James Anderson, announced his retirement in May 2024 at the age of 42. Anderson, who holds the record for the most Test wickets by a pacer (704), ended his illustrious career after playing 188 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is.
Indian Cricket Stars Bid Farewell
Shikhar Dhawan: The veteran opener retired in August 2024 at 38. A key player in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy victory, Dhawan was also named the tournament’s Player of the Series.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: Following their triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup final in June, the iconic duo bid farewell to T20 internationals, making the announcement during the post-match ceremony.
Dinesh Karthik, Saurabh Tiwary, and Kedar Jadhav: These seasoned players also announced their retirement in 2024.
Australian Legends Hang Up Their Boots
David Warner: Warner initially retired from Test and ODI cricket in January 2024. Following the T20 World Cup in June, he officially retired from all formats.
Matthew Wade: The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman announced his retirement in October 2024.
Will Pucovski: At just 26 years old, the promising Australian batter retired in August 2024.
Notable Retirements from England
David Malan: The left-handed batter, who once topped the T20I rankings, retired in August 2024 at the age of 37.
Moeen Ali: The versatile all-rounder brought his illustrious international career to a close on September 8, 2024, marking the end of an era.
South African Cricketers Step Away
Dean Elgar: The former South African captain retired in 2024, marking the end of an era for Proteas cricket.
Heinrich Klaasen: The aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman retired from Test cricket in January 2024.
Other International Retirements
Neil Wagner (New Zealand): The left-arm pacer retired in February 2024 after missing a home Test series against Australia.
Colin Munro (New Zealand): Munro officially retired from international cricket in May 2024.
Tim Southee (New Zealand): His Test career concluded on December 17, 2024, following a series against England.
Shakib Al Hasan & Mahmudullah (Bangladesh): Shakib retired from T20Is in September, while Mahmudullah followed suit in October.
Shannon Gabriel (West Indies): The right-arm fast bowler retired in August 2024 after 59 Tests, 25 ODIs, and 2 T20Is.
Ravichandran Ashwin (India): The star spinner retired on December 18, 2024, following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
David Wiese (Namibia): Wiese, who also played for South Africa, retired after the T20 World Cup in 2024.
Siebren Engelbrecht (Netherlands): Engelbrecht retired following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
Brian Masaba (Uganda): The Ugandan captain stepped away from T20Is after the World Cup.
A Year of Emotional Goodbyes
From Test specialists to T20 icons, 2024 saw cricketers from diverse backgrounds bring their remarkable careers to a close. Each retirement signified the conclusion of a remarkable chapter, etching an enduring legacy in the annals of cricketing history.
Fans worldwide bid farewell to these players with heartfelt tributes, cherishing the moments these legends created on the field.
