Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the ODI format earlier this year

Indian cricket has no dearth of new talent, and therefore, with changing times, it is hard for the veteran to stay in the game. As 2025 witnessed the inclusion of several new players in the Indian cricket team, some veterans of the game felt it was the right time for them to bid goodbye to the game, either in one format or completely.

As the year comes to an end, here’s a recap of the top Indian cricket players who hung up their boots.

Rohit Sharma

Having retired from T20I last year after winning the ICC T20I World Cup, Rohit Sharma took the tough call of bidding goodbye to the white jersey. In Test, Sharma played 67 matches, having amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57 and a strike rate of 57.05. He also scored 12 centuries and 18 fifties in the format. The former Indian captain is now available only for ODIs, eyeing the 2027 ICC World Cup.

Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma was not the only one to retire from T20I last year; his close friend followed his lead. The story was no different this year, as Virat Kohli also chose to retire from Test cricket, despite being only 770 runs away from 10,000 Test runs. Kohli scored 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties.

Cheteshwar Pujara

(Credit- RCB)

One of those rare batters who played old-school Test in the 21st century, Pujara played his last Test in the 2023 Test Championship final. The 37-year-old realised that his time was up, given the stiff competition and transition of Indian cricket towards a new direction. Therefore, on August 24, Pujara bid goodbye to all formats of cricket. He made 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60 in 103 matches.

Wriddhiman Saha

(Credit- The Indian Express)

It is hard to describe Wriddhiman Saha’s career, given that he was a good wicketkeeper who was born in the wrong era, competing against talents who were at a greater level because of which Saha couldn’t cement his place. Nonetheless, he played 40 Test matches for India at an average of 29.41, which is again decent given he often came in the lower-middle order. However, Saha will forever be remembered for his 115 against KKR in the 2014 final, which unfortunately did not sway the result in Punjab Kings’ favour.

Amit Mishra

(Credit- NDTV Sports)

Despite attacking legspin, big legbreaks and odd googlies, Mishra never found enough game time, having made his debut in the 2000s when India’s star spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were at their peak. Still, Mishra managed 32 Test matches, taking 76 wickets at an economy rate of 3.19, whereas in ODIs, he grabbed 64 wickets in 36 matches. At 42, Mishra called it a day.

As the year comes to an end, we pay tribute to all these players who gave their best for the Indian cricket team and left a lasting impression that is unlikely to fade with time.