Five renowned cricket players’ international careers came to an end in 2025. Big numbers, noteworthy achievements, and enduring influence characterized their career.
Here are some of their most notable figures, accomplishments, and legacies.
1. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat retired from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. He played 123 Test matches. He scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
He stood as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer. He also captained and won 40 out of 68 matches, making him India’s most successful Test captain.
He scored seven double centuries, top score being 254 not out. He dominated against Australia, tallying 2,232 runs and nine centuries.
2. Cheteshwar Pujara (India)
Pujara said goodbye to all cricket formats on August 24, 2025. In Tests, he amassed 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties across 103 matches. He played key roles in India’s historic Test wins in Australia (2018–19, 2020–21). He earned Player of the Series in the 2018–19 campaign.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ashwin ended his international career on December 18, 2024, but retired from IPL on August 27, 2025.
Test cricket: 537 wickets in 106 matches at an average of 24.01. He had 37 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls. He scored 3,503 runs, including six centuries.
International formats overall: 765 wickets in 287 matches.
IPL legend: 187 wickets in 221 matches; won two IPL titles.
4. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)
Pooran retired from all international formats in June 2025 at 29 years old.
He was the West Indies’ most-capped T20I player and leading run-scorer in that format.
5. Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa)
Klaasen stepped away from all international cricket on June 2, 2025. He later focused on franchise leagues.
| Player | Country | Format Retired | Key Stats & Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | India | Test (May 2025) | 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, 40 wins as Test captain |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | India | All formats (Aug 2025) | 7,195 Test runs, 19 centuries, Player of Series in Aus |
| R. Ashwin | India | Intl (Dec 2024), IPL (Aug 2025) | 537 Test wickets, 765 total wickets, 187 IPL wickets |
| Nicholas Pooran | West Indies | All formats (June 2025) | Top T20I run-getter (citation needed) |
| Heinrich Klaasen | South Africa | All formats (June 2, 2025) | Transitioned to franchise leagues (citation needed) |
These retirements bring an end to outstanding careers. A legacy of tenacity, records, and leadership is left by players like Ashwin, Pujara, and Kohli. Their tales encourage upcoming generations to strive for greatness with grit and passion.
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