In 2025, several international cricket stars retired, including New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, India’s Varun Aaron, Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, and Afghanistan’s Shapoor Zadran. These players left lasting legacies with remarkable performances in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests, leaving their nations and fans with unforgettable memories and significant contributions to the game.
1. Rishi Dhawan (White-ball cricket)
Pace-bowling all-rounder Rishi Dhawan became the first cricketer to officially retire from Indian limited-overs cricket in 2025. The 34-year-old Himachal Pradesh player featured in three ODIs and one T20I for India, all in 2016, claiming just two wickets.
Dhawan had a prolific domestic career, playing 134 List-A and 135 T20 matches between 2007 and January 2025. He also captained Himachal Pradesh to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title in the 2021-22 season.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhawan represented Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in 39 matches from 2013 to 2024, taking 25 wickets and scoring 210 runs. He was part of the MI squad that won the IPL in 2013. He will continue to play First-Class cricket despite stepping away from limited-overs formats.
2. Martin Guptill (All formats)
Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill officially announced his retirement from international cricket on January 8, 2025.
Guptill made his New Zealand debut in 2009 and played his last international match in October 2022. He featured in 198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Tests, finishing as New Zealand’s highest T20I scorer with 3,531 runs and third-highest ODI scorer with 7,346 runs. He notched up 23 international centuries.
Guptill holds the record for New Zealand’s only men’s ODI double century, scoring 237* against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.
3. Varun Aaron (All formats)
Jharkhand fast bowler Varun Aaron retired from representative cricket on January 10, 2025. The 35-year-old played nine ODIs and nine Tests for India between 2011 and 2015, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 47.10.
Injuries hampered his international career, but Aaron was once India’s quickest bowler, regularly surpassing 150 KPH. He made his domestic debut in 2008 and played 66 First-Class matches, 88 List-A games, and 95 T20s, taking over 400 wickets.
4. Tamim Iqbal (All formats)
Former Bangladesh captain and opener Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket on January 10, 2025. His last international match came in September 2023.
Since his debut in 2007, Tamim played 70 Tests, 243 ODIs, and 78 T20Is. A key pillar of Bangladesh cricket in the 2010s, he amassed 15,249 international runs, the second-most by a Bangladeshi batsman.
5. Shapoor Zadran (All formats)
Shapoor is best remembered for his all-round performance during Afghanistan’s historic 2015 World Cup win over Scotland, the nation’s first ODI World Cup victory. He featured in 44 ODIs and 36 T20Is, taking 80 wickets in total.
