As cricket continues to evolve, several experienced players are nearing the end of their careers. Some have already hinted at stepping away, while others are expected to make an official announcement soon. Here’s a look at the Top 10 Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, based on their recent performances and selection chances.

List of 10 Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025

10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of India’s finest swing bowlers, but his career has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He last played a Test match in 2018 and has been missing from India’s white-ball squad as well. While he continues to play domestic cricket, his international comeback looks highly uncertain. With younger fast bowlers stepping up, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the cricketers likely to retire in 2025.

Format	Matches	Wickets	Bowling Avg	Best Figures
Test	21	63	26.1	6/82
ODI	121	141	35.1	5/42
T20I	87	90	23.1	5/4

ALSO READ:

9. Umesh Yadav – India

Umesh Yadav has been a key fast bowler for India, especially in home Tests where his ability to generate reverse swing has been valuable. However, with younger pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack, Umesh has struggled to find a place. His last Test appearance came in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023, and since then, his international opportunities have dwindled. Given the circumstances, he is another strong candidate among cricketers likely to retire in 2025.

Format	Matches	Wickets	Bowling Avg	Best Figures
Test	57	170	30.4	6/88
ODI	75	106	33.6	4/31
T20I	9	12	24.3	2/19

8. Ishant Sharma – India

Ajinkya Rahane was once India’s vice-captain in Test cricket, but his form has declined in recent years. Although he made a brief comeback in 2023, he was dropped again due to inconsistency. With no recent international appearances and the emergence of young middle-order batters, Rahane is expected to join the list of cricketers likely to retire in 2025.

Format	Matches	Wickets	Bowling Avg	Best Figures
Test	105	311	32.4	7/74
ODI	80	115	30.9	4/34
T20I	14	8	50.1	2/34

7. Ajinkya Rahane – India

Ajinkya Rahane was once India’s reliable middle-order batter in Test cricket. Although he made a brief comeback in 2023, he was dropped again. With no recent international appearances, he is expected to be one of the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, closing the chapter on a remarkable career.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	100s	Best Score
Test	85	5,100	38.5	12	188
ODI	90	2,962	35.3	3	111
T20I	20	375	20.8	0	61

6. Cheteshwar Pujara – India

Cheteshwar Pujara last played for India in the WTC final in June 2023. His absence since then suggests that he is close to retirement. He is among the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, bringing an end to his gritty Test career.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	100s	Best Score
Test	103	7,195	43.6	19	206*
ODI	5	51	10.2	0	27
T20I	0	0	–	–	–

5. Steve Smith – Australia

Steve Smith, once Australia’s backbone in batting, has been struggling with consistency in recent years. His incredible technique and ability to dominate bowlers made him one of the finest Test cricketers of his generation. However, with age catching up and younger talents stepping up, many believe his career is in its final phase. Given the increasing competition and his fluctuating form, he is considered one of the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025 after an illustrious journey filled with countless match-winning knocks.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	100s	Best Score
Test	105	9,200	52.7	32	239
ODI	150	5,200	43.5	12	164
T20I	63	1,000	25.4	0	90

4. Mitchell Marsh – Australia

At 33, Mitchell Marsh has been a key figure in Australia’s white-ball setup. His explosive batting and handy medium-pace bowling have won his team several matches. However, his exclusion from the Test squad due to inconsistent performances has raised doubts about his future. Despite still being a crucial player in limited-overs cricket, the rise of young all-rounders has put his place in jeopardy. This has fueled discussions about his retirement from international cricket. With these factors in mind, he is widely seen as one of the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, marking the end of a career that saw both highs and lows.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	Wickets	Best Score
Test	35	1,600	31.2	42	181
ODI	100	3,500	36.1	55	126
T20I	60	1,500	30.8	15	77*

3. Moeen Ali – England

Moeen Ali, England’s experienced all-rounder, officially announced his retirement from international cricket in September 2024. His ability to contribute both with the bat and ball made him an invaluable asset for England in all formats. In February 2025, he took another step towards complete retirement by quitting county cricket as well. With this decision, it is now clear that he is one of the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025 from all forms of professional cricket. His departure marks the end of an era for England, as they lose a versatile player who delivered memorable performances in Test, ODI, and T20 cricket.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	Wickets	Best Score
Test	64	2,900	28.3	195	155*
ODI	130	2,200	25.4	105	128
T20I	75	1,100	22.9	65	72*

2. Rohit Sharma – India

Rohit Sharma has been one of India’s most iconic batters, known for his elegant stroke play and ability to score big hundreds. However, his exclusion from the final Test of the 2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has sparked serious discussions about his retirement. His captaincy stint saw him lead India in crucial ICC tournaments, and his legacy as an opener remains unmatched. With younger players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal taking center stage, many believe he is one of the biggest Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket. His departure will leave a significant void in the team, as he has been a pillar of strength in all formats.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	100s	Best Score
Test	60	5,000	45.0	14	212
ODI	250	11,000	48.5	30	264
T20I	150	4,000	31.3	4	118

1. Jos Buttler – England

Jos Buttler, England’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter, has been a key figure in their white-ball dominance over the years. However, in February 2025, he stepped down as England’s white-ball captain, signaling the beginning of the end of his international career. His aggressive batting and innovative stroke play made him one of the most feared batters in limited-overs cricket. With his leadership exit, speculation is high that he is among the Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025, possibly bringing his international journey to a close. If he retires, England will lose one of their greatest finishers and a player who revolutionized their ODI and T20I approach.

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	100s	Best Score
Test	57	2,900	32.2	2	152
ODI	175	4,800	39.0	10	162*
T20I	110	3,200	34.8	1	101*

Conclusion

These Cricketers Likely to Retire in 2025 have had legendary careers, leaving behind unforgettable memories. As they step away from international cricket, their contributions will be remembered for years to come.

READ MORE: