On December 18, 2024, Ravi Ashwin announced his abrupt retirement from international cricket, ending one of the most storied test careers in history. It was surprising because it occurred in the middle of a series.
Ashwin ceased playing international cricket after having one poor series, averaging 41 runs with the ball against New Zealand in the home 0–3 rout. He also played in the lost Adelaide test.
However, Ashwin’s retirement is only the beginning of many more to come. “We’re the last bunch of OGs,” Ashwin remarked in his retirement speech, alluding to the wave of senior players he has played with over the previous 12 years who have not yet formally retired while being left off the test team.
1. Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s top No. 3 players, played his final test match for his country against Australia in the ICC WTC 2021–23 final in June 2023.
Despite being dismissed from the team in 2022, he was able to return. However, his comeback proved unsuccessful, and he was fired following the 2023 ICC WTC final. Shubman Gill has already solidified his position at number three.
During his career, Pujara amassed 7195 runs at an average of 43 in 103 tests, including 19 hundreds. He played a significant role in India’s victories in both test series in Australia.
Ajinkya Rahane
In July 2023, Ajinkya Rahane played his final test match for India in the West Indies. Similar to Pujara, he was dismissed in 2022 but returned for the ICC WTC 2021–2023 final, scoring the most runs for India in both innings. After that, he participated in one more series before being dropped once more.
Rahane amassed 12 hundreds and 5077 runs at 38 in 85 tests. Rahane is renowned for leading India to victory in the BGT 2020–21 series in Australia.
Ishant Sharma
The only specialized Indian bowler to appear in 100 Test matches is Ishant Sharma. He began taking examinations in 2007, and the final of his 105 tests was in November 2021.
Ishant made significant strides in the second half of his career after struggling with form and fitness in the first half. In test cricket, he finished with 311 wickets and 11 five-fors.
Along with Bumrah and Shami, the lanky seamer established a potent pace-bowling combination that helped India win its first test series against Australia in 2018–19.
Umesh Yadav
For Team India, Umesh Yadav was an underappreciated pacer who was dependable at home. Umesh averaged 25.88 while taking 101 test wickets for India. Umesh has the highest average among the five pacers who claimed more than 100 wickets in India.
He made his debut in 2011 and took 170 test wickets in 57 matches overall. The ICC WTC 2021–23 final was his final test match before he was benched in favor of Mukesh Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Between 2013 and 2018, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, one of the greatest swing bowlers, participated in 21 test matches and claimed 63 wickets at an average of 26 while hitting four five-fors.
Injury setbacks severely damaged Bhuvneshwar’s test career. Even if he is back playing First-Class cricket, it is doubtful that he would rejoin the Indian test team because they have switched to younger, more fit seamers.
Rohit Sharma
Test cricket may soon come to an end for Rohit Sharma, who has already withdrawn from T20Is. His recent performance has been horrible. He has only averaged 11 with one half-century in his past seven tests. Actually, in his last 13 innings, he has only reached 25.
In April 2025, Rohit will turn 38 years old. When the next WTC cycle begins in June 2025 with the tour of England, India may seek to move on from him.
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