The world of cricket witnessed significant changes in 2024 as several prominent international cricketers announced their retirements. These players, who have graced the field with their extraordinary skills and contributions, leave behind a legacy that has enriched the sport. Here’s a look at the top 10 international cricketers who retired in 2024 and the impact they had on the game.
1.Ravindra Jadeja (T20Is)
Ravindra Jadeja left the shortest format of cricket, following in the footsteps of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, after helping India win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. On social media the day after India’s win, he declared his choice. During his 74 T20I matches between 2009 and 2024, Jadeja amassed 515 runs and claimed 54 wickets for India. He will go on representing India in various game types.
ALSO READ:
2. Rohit Sharma (T20Is)
Following India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket. As the third Indian captain to win a World Cup trophy, he made history. When he announced his retirement, Rohit was the top run scorer in T20 Internationals and the runner-up in the Twenty20 World Cup 2024.
3.Virat Kohli (T20Is)
As he accepted the Man of the Match award in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final, India’s great batsman Virat Kohli declared his retirement from T20I cricket. In the final, India’s victory over South Africa was greatly aided by his 76-run innings. As the second-highest run scorer in T20I history and two-time Player of the Tournament winner at the T20 World Cup, Kohli retires.
4.Sybrand Engelbrecht (All Formats)
Following the T20 World Cup in 2024, Dutch batsman Sybrand Engelbrecht announced his retirement from international cricket. After making his debut in 2023, he participated in 12 ODIs and 12 T20Is. Engelbrecht, who was born in Johannesburg in 1988, competed for South Africa in the 2008 Under-19 World Cup before stepping down in 2016 to concentrate on his work in project management and finance. In 2021, he picked up cricket again after moving to the Netherlands for employment.
5.David Wiese (All Formats)
All-rounder David Wiese, who played for both South Africa and Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2024, ended his career as an international cricket player. After playing 15 ODIs and 54 T20Is, he left South African cricket in 2016 to sign a contract with Kolpak. Playing 34 T20Is and nine ODIs, Wiese made his Namibian debut in 2021 and helped his team qualify for the 2021 T20 World Cup Super 12s in the United Arab Emirates. He intends to carry on participating in franchise T20 leagues.
6.Dinesh Karthik (All Formats)
After failing to make India’s T20 World Cup 2024 roster, veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement from all cricket competitions, including the Indian Premier League. During his 26 Tests, 60 T20 Internationals, and 94 ODIs, he made his final international appearance at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
7.Colin Munro (All Formats)
Colin Munro, the opener for New Zealand, announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2024 after he was left off of the T20 World Cup squad. Munro, who played franchise cricket but was not selected for the 2024 World Cup, played 65 T20 Internationals, his last coming in 2020. He also participated in one Test match and 57 ODIs.
8.Heinrich Klaasen (Tests)
Heinrich Klaasen, a wicketkeeper from South Africa, gave up playing Test cricket in 2024 to focus on limited-overs competitions. He only participated in three more Test matches after making his debut against India in October 2019, amassing 108 runs. In March 2023, he played his last Test match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg against the West Indies.
9.David Warner (All Formats)
In June 2023, David Warner announced his retirement from Test cricket during the Ashes in England. He played his farewell series at home against Pakistan. Additionally, on New Year’s Day, he retired from ODIs. Warner made 48 hundreds in all while playing 112 Tests (scoring 8786 runs) and 161 ODIs (scoring 6932 runs). Following the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June, he announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket.
10.Dean Elgar (All Formats)
Dean Elgar, the opener for South Africa, announced his retirement from international cricket prior to the 2023–24 Test series with India. In 86 Test matches and 8 One-Day Internationals, he amassed 5347 runs at a 37.92 average, including 14 hundreds. Elgar won nine of his eighteen Test matches as captain.
