Several international cricketers announced their retirement in 2025 across formats. A pace-bowling all-rounder stepped away from Indian limited-overs cricket, while a prolific New Zealand opener ended his career. A former Bangladesh captain, an Afghan fast bowler, and an Indian wicketkeeper also retired, marking the conclusion of notable careers across different teams and eras.
1. Rishi Dhawan (White-ball)
Rishi Dhawan, a pace-bowling all-rounder, became the first cricketer to officially retire from Indian limited-overs cricket in 2025. The 34-year-old represented India in three ODIs and one T20I in 2016, claiming two wickets. A stalwart for Himachal Pradesh, he featured in 134 List-A and 135 T20 matches from 2007 to January 2025 and captained his state to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph in 2021-22.
In the IPL, Dhawan played 39 matches for Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings between 2013 and 2024, picking up 25 wickets and scoring 210 runs. He was part of MI’s title-winning squad in 2013. Despite his limited-overs retirement, he will continue playing First-Class cricket.
2. Martin Guptill (All formats)
Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill announced his retirement from international cricket on January 8, 2025.
Debuting in 2009, Guptill played his final international match in October 2022. He featured in 198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Tests, finishing as New Zealand’s highest T20I run-scorer with 3531 runs and the third-highest in ODIs with 7346 runs. He amassed 23 international centuries.
Guptill holds the record for New Zealand’s only men’s ODI double century, scoring 237* against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.
3. Varun Aaron (All formats)
Varun Aaron retired from representative cricket on January 10, 2025. The 35-year-old played nine Tests and nine ODIs for India between 2011 and 2015, taking 29 wickets. Once India’s fastest bowler, injuries hampered his career. He played 66 First-Class, 88 List-A, and 95 T20 matches. Aaron featured in nine IPL seasons, winning the 2022 title with Gujarat Titans before concluding his career.
4. Tamim Iqbal (All formats)
Former Bangladesh captain and opener Tamim Iqbal retired from international cricket on January 10, 2025. His last international match was in September 2023.
Since debuting in 2007, Tamim played 70 Tests, 243 ODIs, and 78 T20Is, becoming a key figure in Bangladesh cricket during the 2010s. He amassed 15,249 international runs, the second-most by a Bangladeshi batsman, cementing his legacy as one of the nation’s finest batters.
5. Shapoor Zadran (All formats)
Tall left-arm pacer Shapoor Zadran announced his international retirement on January 31, 2025. His last match for Afghanistan was in March 2020.
Zadran played a crucial role in Afghanistan’s historic first ODI World Cup win against Scotland in 2015. He featured in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is, claiming 80 wickets overall, leaving a lasting impact on Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket.
6. Wriddhiman Saha (All formats)
Wriddhiman Saha retired from all forms of cricket after Bengal’s Ranji Trophy 2024-25 campaign ended on February 1. He debuted domestically in 2007 and for India in 2010.
Limited by MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant’s presence, Saha played 40 Tests in 11 years, scoring 1353 runs with three centuries. Regarded as one of the world’s best wicketkeepers, he featured in 142 First-Class matches and over 300 white-ball games.