Top Legendary Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell [Updated 2025]

In cricket, farewells are supposed to be grand emotional send-offs where legends walk away amid roaring applause. But not every superstar gets that moment under the spotlight.

Some of the biggest names in cricket history, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni, and Cheteshwar Pujara, walked away silently, leaving fans stunned and heartbroken.

Here’s a look at the most iconic cricketers who retired without a proper farewell match.

Top Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell

• Virat Kohli (India, 2025)
• Rohit Sharma (India, 2025)
• MS Dhoni (India, 2020)
• AB de Villiers (South Africa, 2018)
• Cheteshwar Pujara (India, 2025)
• Brendon McCullum (New Zealand, 2016)
• Yuvraj Singh (India, 2019)

1. Virat Kohli – The End of an Era

• Retirement: May 2025 (Tests)
• Stats: 29 Test centuries | 8,829 Test runs | 75 international centuries
• Reason: Stepped down without announcing a farewell

Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest-ever batsmen, shocked the cricket world with his abrupt retirement from Test cricket in May 2025. Fans expected a grand send-off, but Kohli chose silence over ceremony.

His fiery attitude, unmatched fitness, and hunger for runs inspired a generation. Though tributes poured in globally, the absence of a farewell match left a void that fans will feel for years.

2. Rohit Sharma – The Hitman Exit

• Retirement: May 2025 (Tests)
• Stats: 3,677 Test runs | 10,709 ODI runs | 5 T20I centuries
• Highlight: Led India to 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy wins

Just days after Kohli’s retirement, Rohit Sharma, India’s World Cup-winning captain, also bid goodbye to Test cricket. Known as the “Hitman” for his effortless six-hitting, Rohit’s decision stunned fans.

Despite leading India to historic triumphs in 2024 and 2025, Rohit opted out of a farewell game. His calm leadership and record-breaking batting will be etched in cricket history forever.

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3. Cheteshwar Pujara – The Wall Fades Away

• Retirement: August 24, 2025
• Stats: 103 Tests | 7,195 runs | 18 centuries
• Known For: Heroics in Australia (2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Series)

Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s modern-day “Wall”, was one of the toughest batters to dismiss in Test cricket. Despite being a backbone of India’s success overseas, his retirement came quietly, no farewell match, no final lap of honor.

Pujara’s gritty knocks in Australia and England earned him global respect, but his understated exit reflects the changing times of Indian cricket.

4. MS Dhoni – The Cool Captain

• Retirement: 15 August 2020 (International Cricket)
• Stats: 90 Tests | 350 ODIs | 98 T20Is | 10,773 ODI runs
• Legacy: India’s most successful captain T20 World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013

On the evening of 15th August 2020, India’s Independence Day, Mahendra Singh Dhoni one of cricket’s most iconic leaders announced his retirement from international cricket via a single Instagram post, captioned:

“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs, consider me as Retired.”

There was no farewell match, no grand ceremony, and no prior announcement. It was a classic Dhoni style exit calm, composed, and under the radar.

Fans had long hoped for a packed stadium send-off for the man who gave India three ICC trophies, but Dhoni chose silence over spectacle. To this day, his sudden retirement remains one of cricket’s most emotional chapters.

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5. AB de Villiers – Mr. 360’s Shocking Goodbye

• Retirement: 2018 (International Cricket)
• Stats: 20,014 international runs | 47 centuries
• Known For: The ability to hit the ball anywhere on the ground

When AB de Villiers announced his retirement in 2018, cricket fans worldwide were stunned. Known as “Mr. 360” for his outrageous shot-making, he redefined modern batting.

Fans still feel he deserved a grand farewell match. His sudden exit remains one of cricket’s biggest heartbreaks.

6. Brendon McCullum – The Aggressive Innovator

• Retirement: 2016 (International Cricket)
• Stats: 12,450 international runs | 645 sixes
• Legacy: Transformed New Zealand cricket into a fearless powerhouse

Brendon McCullum changed the way New Zealand approached cricket, aggressive, fearless, and entertaining. Yet, his retirement was quiet and understated.

Now the coach of England’s Test team, McCullum’s bold “Bazball” philosophy continues to influence cricket globally, even if his own farewell lacked grandeur.

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Other Iconic Cricketers Who Retired Without a Farewell

Indian Legends

Overseas Stars

Cricket is a game of passion and emotion, but sometimes, legends leave without the applause they deserve. From Kohli and Rohit to AB de Villiers and McCullum, these silent exits remind us that even icons don’t always get a grand goodbye.

FAQs

Q1. Which famous cricketers retired without a farewell match?
Players like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Cheteshwar Pujara, Brendon McCullum, Yuvraj Singh, and Kevin Pietersen are among the biggest names who retired without a proper farewell match.

Q2. Why do some cricketers not get farewell matches?
Several reasons: sudden retirement announcements, team selection issues, differences with cricket boards, or personal choices to step away quietly.

Q3. Will BCCI organize a farewell match for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?
As of August 2025, there’s no official confirmation, but there’s strong demand from fans and ex-cricketers for a combined farewell game for both icons.

Q4. Did AB de Villiers ever play a farewell match?
No. AB de Villiers shocked the cricket world in 2018 by retiring suddenly without a farewell game.

Q5. Which Indian cricketers deserved a farewell match but never got one?
Some of the most notable names: Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, and Ambati Rayudu.

Q6. Did Virat Kohli retire from all formats of cricket?
No. Kohli retired from T20Is in 2024 and Test cricket in May 2025, but continues to play ODIs.

Q7. Did Rohit Sharma announce his retirement before the 2025 Champions Trophy win?
No. Rohit led India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and retired from Tests and T20Is only after the tournament.

Q8. Who are some overseas players who retired without a farewell?
AB de Villiers (South Africa), Brendon McCullum (New Zealand), Kevin Pietersen (England), Hashim Amla (South Africa), and Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) never had grand send-offs.

Q9. How do cricket boards decide on farewell matches?
Generally, farewell matches are organized when the player announces retirement in advance and has an agreement with the cricket board. Sudden retirements often mean no farewell.

Q10. Why didn’t Cheteshwar Pujara get a farewell Test?
Pujara was dropped from the Test squad after the 2023 WTC Final and wasn’t recalled, so by the time he announced retirement in August 2025, a farewell match wasn’t considered.

Q11. Which cricketer’s retirement shocked fans the most?
AB de Villiers (2018) and Virat Kohli (2025) are among the most shocking retirements in cricket history.

Q12. Can fans expect a combined farewell match for Rohit and Kohli?
There’s huge public demand, but BCCI hasn’t announced any plan yet.

Q13. Who is the most popular cricketer in 2025 despite retiring?
Virat Kohli continues to dominate cricket-related searches globally, even after his Test retirement.

Q14. Are farewell matches becoming rare in modern cricket?
Yes. With busy schedules and franchise cricket dominance, farewell games are less common now, especially if players leave abruptly.

Q15. Did MS Dhoni get a farewell match?
No. Dhoni retired from international cricket on 15 August 2020 through an Instagram post, without any farewell match or ceremony.