File photo of Jasprit Bumrah

Ahead of the start of the ICC Champions Trophy, former India all-rounder Suresh Raina reminisced about the ‘masterstroke’ moment of the MS Dhoni-led side during their 2013 edition’s title-winning campaign in England. India’s Champions Trophy 2013 win will be remembered in the annals of history, as the national team went undefeated throughout the tournament. On a special episode of JioHotstar’s ‘The Suresh Raina Experience: Champions Trophy Special,’ Raina reflected on how India’s opening match of the tournament against South Africa marked the meteoric rise of the opening duo, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Raina called the decision to commit to the Rohit-Dhawan opening pair a masterstroke, highlighting their success in the tournament and beyond.

“That was a masterstroke by the team management. Just look at the way they batted – they focused on timing the ball rather than forcing shots. They attacked, but only when the delivery deserved it. Rohit Sharma is technically very sound. He wore the ball down before accelerating the scoring rate. Then you had Shikhar Dhawan stepping out and taking on the bowlers. Left-right combinations always trouble bowlers, and Shikhar was an aggressive striker in a different way. Rohit could hit a six whenever he wanted,” Raina said.

“Their run rate consistently stayed at 8 or 9. They cleared the ropes with ease. A 100-run partnership quickly turned into a 150-run stand. One of them was always looking to push for a century. Their understanding was excellent – they trusted each other’s calls and spent so much time together,” he added.

While Dhawan had cemented his place as India’s opening batter, he saw a revolving door of partners in 2012. Rohit Sharma, who had missed out on the 2011 ICC World Cup victory, finally secured the role in 2013. Raina detailed how Rohit found his way back into the squad and locked in a position he has held for the past many years.

“The way he was timing the ball – it was exceptional. He worked incredibly hard on improving his batting. He had long discussions with Duncan (Fletcher) and shared a great rapport with MS (Dhoni). Big tournaments create big players because there’s a major trophy on the line. He wasn’t picked for the 2011 World Cup, but when 2013 came around, he grabbed the opening spot – and he still holds it,” the former batter explained.

Dhawan scored 114 runs off 94 deliveries, while Sharma contributed 65 runs off 81 balls, forming a 127-run partnership that lasted over 20 overs. Raina reflected on his six-over spell, which helped contain South Africa’s run chase after India’s fast bowlers struggled on a dry wicket.

“The wicket was very dry, so everyone had to adjust their fielding and bowling. Having a sixth bowling option — whether it was Virat, Rohit, or Suresh Raina — gave the captain an extra level of comfort. At that point, MS didn’t have any more full-time bowlers left. As a captain, you need options for those tricky four to five overs. MS knew that if a left-hander came to bat, he could turn to me. I could take wickets and disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. We were lucky to have several players in the squad who could bowl four to six overs. You saw this in the 2011 squad as well, and in 2013, it was me, Virat, and Rohit stepping in when needed,” he said.

Raina also shared insights into his mindset while executing his bowling plans and said, “I understood the angles of my bowling, kept it straight at the stumps, and didn’t offer too much pace. I knew if I bowled three good overs, I’d earn a fourth. I focused on staying composed and unfazed. My job was to field well, but the captain trusted me to stay within my ability and deliver with the ball.”

India will open their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has revealed how he tries to stay in touch with his 11-year-old son Zoraver in a spiritual manner, even though he does not get to see him anymore. Dhawan, 39, was granted divorce from his ex-wife Aesha Mukherji in October 2023, but lost custody of his son Zoraver. Although he was granted visitation rights and being allowed to connect via video calls, seemingly Dhawan has been blocked from seeing or speaking to Zoraver. Dhawan also spoke about how he would spend time with his son if he got to meet him.

“It has been two years since I’ve seen my son, one years since I last spoke to him. It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually,” Dhawan said, speaking on the ANI podcast.

“I feel through affirmations that I’m conversing with him everyday, hugging him. I put my energy into it spiritually. It is the only way I can bring back my son. My sadness won’t help. I manifest,” Dhawan revealed.

“I already feel that I’m with him, speaking to him, playing with him. When I sit for my meditation, I visualise those things,” Dhawan added.

“My son is 11 years old now, but I have seen him for only two and-a-half years of his life,” he said.

Shikhar Dhawan said, “I still message my son, even though I’m blocked from everywhere”.

– An emotional interview of Gabbar!pic.twitter.com/UesiSw3CLU

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 16, 2025

When asked what innings of his he would show to his son if he were to meet him, Dhawan spoke emotionally.

“I would first hug him. I’ll first spend time with him. Listen to what he has to say. Showing him any innings of mine is a thought that hasn’t even occurred to me. I’ll listen to him, know about him. Maybe if he tears up, I’ll cry with him. I’ll enjoy my time with him,” Dhawan said.

Dhawan stated that it did not matter whether his son Zoraver watches any innings of his, and preached that his son’s happiness is the sole thing important for him.

“I want him to be happy and healthy. I still message him every three or four days even though I’m blocked. I don’t expect him to read them. I don’t mind if he doesn’t read them, it is my job to reach out. I will keep doing it,” Dhawan said.

Dhawan announced his retirement from all international and domestic cricket in August 2024, having amassed over 10,000 runs for India across all formats.

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan opened up on breaking the world record of fastest century on Test debut and winning the golden bat for most runs in two successive ICC Champions Trophy tournaments, saying that before he made it to the national side, he manifested these things and used to write them down in a journal. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dhawan spoke on his Test debut against Australia in 2013. Dhawan had slammed an 85-ball ton, breaking the record for fastest Test ton on debut.

He ended with 187 in 174 balls, with 33 fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 107.47, playing a key role in India’s win. He also claimed the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Speaking on evolving his game over the years, Dhawan said that he could do it because of his experience in domestic cricket, particularly the red-ball competition, Ranji Trophy.

“I played a lot of Ranji Trophy. I had experience from there. Then when I came to Test Match, I brought all that experience with me. Another thing which worked for me was… I used a lot of the law of attraction. I manifested a lot of things. I am a big manifester and I keep on manifesting things in my life and I turn my dreams into reality. I would say your mindset is more important than your destiny. How is your thinking? At what frequency are you vibrating? And… Are you your own best friend or a victim? Because a person talks to himself the most. So what quality do you talk about? That matters a lot. So I made a world record. Before that, all the things… Years before breaking into the team, I was keeping a journal. And I had written everything, that I am making world records and all that. I am the best batsman. Everything came true for me, Dhawan told ANI.

Shikhar said that he was not aware during the Test match that he broke that record.

“When I came in (after being out), I knew that I had made a record. As a debutant. Yes, I won the match as well. I also made the man of the match in that match. In my second inning, my hand broke while fielding. After that, I went out of the team. So, all those things make me very happy and then everyone congratulates you. So, when you get appreciation in your life, of course, it feels good. Within one day, your life…Like, I was a debutant and after that, the coverage done about my record was so different and heavy. It was ‘Zameen Asmaan ka difference” (a lot of difference). So, the media also appreciated my performance. And from there, my name, Gabbar, grew. I got this name before that, from Ranji Trophy. But from there, my name grew. And again, I manifested all those things in my life. I used to see I am making world records,” he added.

Shikhar said that it is important for people to learn self-belief and confidence.

“Like people say, there should be self-belief. So how do you create that self-belief? What is the art of creating self-belief? How do you create self-belief so that you are always confident in a situation or in uncertain situations as well? When pressure is going to come, how are you going to handle all those things with a calm mind? Those are all the arts that I feel people should learn. For those who do not know and those who get cracked in a pressure situation. It is an art to learn,” he added.

The left-handed batter said that when he made his comeback during the Champions Trophy 2013 in the UK after a while of being in and out of the team, he made a century in the opening game against South Africa. During this time, he would often tell himself that he is already doing well, instead of telling himself that he has to do well.

“I used to write that I’m the golden bat in Champions Trophy and I am scoring so many centuries and dominating the game. I am the man for my team. I used to affirm all those things and I’m the only batsman who has won two golden bats in the Champions Trophy. So, all those things happened. And I enjoyed the journey,” he concluded.

Shikhar dominated the ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 363 runs in five matches during the 2013 title-winning edition, with two centuries and a fifty. In the 2017 edition, during which India finished runners-up to Pakistan, he made 338 runs in five matches, with a century and two fifties. He is India’s top-run-getter ever in the tournament and overall at third spot.

In his illustrious career, runs effortlessly came off Dhawan’s bat. He represented India across all formats, but ODI was his forte. In 167 appearances, the southpaw produced swashbuckling performances and racked up 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties.

In the longest format of cricket, where he stitched up memorable partnerships with Murali Vijay, Dhawan garnered 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6. His Test career was laced with seven tons and five half-centuries.

In the T20I format, Dhawan made 68 appearances and scored 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.

In the domestic circuit, Dhawan played 122 first-class cricket matches and handsomely scored 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26, including 25 centuries and 29 fifties.

In List A, Dhawan played 302 matches and scored a whopping 12,074 runs at an average of 43.90. His remarkable statistics are further glistened by 30 centuries and 67 half-centuries.

Dhawan is also the second-highest run-getter of all time in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 6,769 runs in 222 matches at an average of 35.25, with two centuries and 51 fifties.

He also secured an ICC Champions Trophy with India in 2013 and an IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2016.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan untangled the characteristics that define and differentiate the captaincy of India’s celebrated stars, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. In his record-shattering career, Dhawan was a part of the two captaincy eras that lifted the status of Indian cricket to a sheer force of dominance, redefining the standards of cricket. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, ‘Gabbar’ debuted for India in the international circuit. While with his long-time friend Virat, Dhawan contributed to turning India into a modern-day giant across all formats.

For the former explosive southpaw, Dhoni’s calm demeanour and experience of making his team perform at optimum level stood out the most.

“All of them have their own characters and nature. Dhoni is very relaxed. He doesn’t talk much. He talks during the meeting. Even before the match, every captain talks. He is very relaxed. Even after the match, he doesn’t talk much. So Dhoni bhai’s presence was very strong, and of course, when I played under him, he had already become an experienced captain and had achieved so much already. He knew in and out about how a team is run and how a player is prepared,” Dhawan said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India played 332 matches across all formats, winning 178, losing 120 and drawing 15. With an aura of calmness around him, Dhoni led India to glory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Under Dhoni’s leadership, India completed a historic whitewash over Australia in the 2012/13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, featuring at the pinnacle of India’s distinguished achievements.

Dhawan, who played an invaluable role in India’s success in the famous whitewash and many other series, sees the calmness aspect of Dhoni’s captaincy as his strength.

“No, Dhoni bhai has never… I have never seen him shout. That was his strength. That’s what he brings to the table. He is absolutely amazing. But when you look at his eyes, you get scared,” he said.

After the end of Dhoni’s era, it was yet another transition phase for India, with Virat beginning his reign with relentless intensity and aggression.

In his seven years of rule, India faced a calamity considering a drought in ICC silverware. Yet India, under Virat’s rule, sent the fans into a frenzy with their brand of cricket.

With Ravi Shastri at the helm, the animated celebrations, the undying attitude and an unwavering dedication changed the cricket’s landscape, especially in the Tests.

The Indian team with a belligerent spirit, driven by fitness and proactively in pursuit of victory were the key aspects of his captaincy. There were many firsts in Virat’s captaincy, but India’s ascendancy in Test cricket was a sight to behold.

“Virat is intense. He has a different energy. Virat has changed the culture of fitness a lot because he is so fit, so that culture came that you have to be fit, our yo-yo test was done. So Virat moved that thing forward. At the same time. He kept on getting mature as a captain as well. When he captained in his first test match and later, with that experience, one keeps getting refined. So Virat’s intensity is quite strong,” he said.

Under Virat’s era of ruthless aggression, India climbed to the top of the ICC Test rankings and stayed there for 42 consecutive months from October 2016 to March 2020. Overall, Kohli led India in 213 matches, won 135, lost 60, and 11 ended in a draw.

Following India’s disappointing 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a 10-point disciplinary guideline aimed at addressing key concerns within the team. Among the directives, a major focus has been on players returning to domestic cricket to regain form. Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan shared his views on the matter, supporting the idea but also stressing the need for managing player workload effectively.

Dhawan agreed that domestic cricket plays a crucial role in helping players find form, particularly after an injury or poor performances.

“Absolutely, you should go and play,” Dhawan said, speaking exclusively to ANI.

“If someone is coming back from an injury, they must prove their match fitness in domestic cricket. Take Shami [Mohammed], for example. He played a full domestic season to prove his fitness before returning to international cricket. That match sharpness is crucial,” he added.

However, he also pointed out the need to balance game time with adequate rest.

“If a player is out of form, then yes, domestic cricket is the best way to regain rhythm but if someone has just finished an intense international tour and only has a five-day gap before the next one, playing in that short break could affect his freshness. It’s important to manage that carefully,” he said.

The introduction of these new rules has also led to speculation about potential internal conflicts within the team, especially with Gautam Gambhir taking over as head coach. One of the guidelines emphasised better teamwork, fewer support staff, and restrictions on families travelling with the squad.

“This has happened before,” Dhawan remarked.

“These rules have existed in the past as well. There have always been restrictions on how long family members can stay. After a certain period, they leave, and players focus solely on cricket,” he added.

One of the most debated points in the new guidelines is the restriction on players’ wives accompanying them during tours. While Dhawan acknowledged the importance of discipline, he also stressed the need for emotional balance.

“Cricketers live a very disciplined life. Having a companion is important because it helps a player relax in a comfort zone. If you’re constantly in an intense mindset, you will burn out faster. Switching off is as important as switching on,” Dhawan emphasised.

India’s heavy defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy cost them a place in the World Test Championship final.

New Delhi :

Former and current Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Irfan Pathan, and Cheteshwar Pujara shared a heartfelt message for former wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha as he announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. Saha played his last match against Punjab with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 Group C encounter. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to shine in the final game of his illustrious career. He was dismissed for a seven-ball duck by Gurnoor Brar of Punjab. However, Saha’s performance did not affect Bengal much as they clinched a victory by an innings and 13 runs over Punjab.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan took to his official social media handle and gave him best wishes for his new phase of life.

“From sharing dressing rooms to seeing you pull off those insane stumpings, what a journey you’ve had bro! Wishing you all the success and happiness in this new phase of life. You’ll always be a champion,” Dhawan wrote in a post on X.

From sharing dressing rooms to seeing you pull off those insane stumpings, what a journey you’ve had bro! Wishing you all the success and happiness in this new phase of life. You’ll always be a champion @Wriddhipops ???? pic.twitter.com/lFjEKljAsB

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 1, 2025

The former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated Wriddhiman Saha for his cricketing career and called him “udtaaaaaa Saha”.

“Congratulations @Wriddhipops on your career. Your wicket-keeping skills were the best we had in test cricket. Will miss calling it “udtaaaaaa Saha”. I’m sure you will keep flying high in your second innings buddy. Good luck,” Irfan Pathan wrote on X.

Congratulations @Wriddhipops on your career. Your wicket keeping skills were the best we had in test cricket. Will miss calling it “udtaaaaaa Saha”. I’m sure you will keep flying high in your second innings buddy. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/OT42TBZ3pr

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 1, 2025

Saurashtra and India right-hand batter Cheteshwar Pujara said that Wriddhiman Saha’s contribution for Indian cricket is invaluable.

“Congratulations on an incredible career @Wriddhipops! …Your contribution to Indian cricket has been invaluable. It has been a pleasure spending time with you on and off the field! Best wishes for the journey ahead,” Pujara wrote in a post on X.

Congratulations on an incredible career @Wriddhipops! ????…Your contribution to Indian cricket has been invaluable. It has been a pleasure spending time with you on and off the field!

Best wishes for the journey ahead ???? pic.twitter.com/znRCk7ZdJG

— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) February 1, 2025

Rishabh Pant shared a photo along with Wriddhiman Saha on his social media handle and said that he has always admired his skills and craft.

“As a fellow keeper, I have always admired your skills and your craft. Wishing you all the success and happiness in your next chapter @Wriddhipops bhaiya,” Pant wrote on X.

As a fellow keeper, I have always admired your skills and your craft. Wishing you all the success and happiness in your next chapter @Wriddhipops bhaiya. #RP17 pic.twitter.com/xNf2yrjZLn

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) February 1, 2025

Earlier on Friday, Saha also received a guard of honour from his teammates as he went down on the crease to bat for the last time.

Taking to X, Saha recalled the first time he stepped onto a cricket field in 1997. He added that it was an honour for him to represent his country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school.

“It has been 28 years since I first stepped onto a cricket field in 1997, and what a journey it has been! Representing my country, state, district, clubs, university, college, and school has been the greatest honor of my life. Everything I am today, every achievement, every lesson learned- l owe it all to this wonderful game… Now it is time to begin a new chapter, dedicating myself to my family and friends, cherishing the moments I may have missed, and embracing life beyond the field. I am eternally grateful to my parents, my beloved elder brother Anirban, and my extended family. Their sacrifices and unwavering belief in my dreams made this journey possible…,” Saha wrote on X.

The 40-year-old extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support throughout his career.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI, its presidents, secretaries, and all office bearers for their support throughout my career. A sincere thank you to all my coaches, mentors, physios, trainers, analysts, teammates, logistics teams, masseurs, and every support staff member of the Indian Cricket Team, Bengal Cricket Team, Tripura Cricket Team, and all the clubs, districts, universities, and school teams I had the privilege of representing. Your faith in me and your constant encouragement have meant the world. I am deeply thankful to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) for their trust and support throughout my career…,” he added.

He also gave special mention to his childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick for his guidance both on and off the field.

“A special mention to my childhood coach, Jayanta Bhowmick, who saw something in me long before I saw it in myself. Your guidance, both on and off the field, has been a blessing in my life. To my friends, ground staff, net bowlers, dressing room attendants, fans, scorers, well-wishers, critics, and journalists each of you played a role in my journey. Your support, encouragement, and even your criticism pushed me to be better, to work harder, and to never stop learning… This game has given me more than I could have ever imagined. It has been my passion, my teacher, my identity. As I walk away from the field, I do so with immense gratitude, carrying memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, cricket. Thank you all,” he concluded.

Thank You, Cricket. Thank You everyone. ???? pic.twitter.com/eSKyGQht4R

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 1, 2025

Saha made his first-class debut in 2007, following that he has played 142 matches and 210 innings, scoring 7169 runs at a strike rate of 48.65 and an average of 41.43. He slammed 14 centuries and 44 fifties in the first-class cricket.

Earlier in November 2024, Wriddhiman Saha announced his retirement from international cricket. Saha last played for India in 2021 and has scored 1,353 runs in 40 Tests for India, with three centuries and six fifties in 56 innings. He has also played five ODIs for India.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya overtook former batter Shikhar Dhawan to become country’s fifth-highest run-getter in T20Is. Pandya accomplished this movement up in charts during the fourth T20I against England at Pune on Friday. During the match, Pandya came in clutch, scoring a brilliant 53 in 34 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, lifting his team from a poor position of 79/5 to 181/9 in their 20 overs. His runs came at a strike rate of over 155. Now in 113 T20Is and 89 innings, Pandya has scored 1,803 runs at an average of 28.17 and a strike rate of 141.63. He has scored five half-centuries, with best score of 71*.

On the other hand, in 68 matches, Dhawan scored 1,759 runs at an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 126.36, with best score of 92 and 11 fifties in 66 innings.

The highest run-getter for India in T20Is is former T20 World Cup winning captain Rohit Sharma, with 4,231 runs in 159 matches and 151 innings at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89. He scored five centuries and 32 fifties, with best score of 121*. He is followed by Virat Kohli (4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69, with a century and 38 fifties) and Suryakumar Yadav (2,596 runs in 82 matches and 78 innings at an average of 38.74, with four centuries and 21 fifties).

Coming to the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. India was reduced to 12/3 by pacer Saqib Mahmood (3/35) after he got Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav in one over. Abhishek Sharma (29 in 19 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Rinku Singh (30 in 26 balls, with four boundaries and a six) played crucial knocks, but India still reeled at 79/5. An 87-run partnership between Hardik Pandya (53 in 34 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Dube (53 in 30 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) helped India reach 181/9 in their 20 overs. Overton (4/32) and Adil Rashid (1/35) also bowled fine spells.

In the run-chase, Phil Salt (23 in 21 balls, with four boundaries) and Ben Duckett (39 in 19 balls, with seven fours) put England to a fine start, adding 62 runs for the first wicket. However, Indian spinners helped the hosts bounce back and left England at 95/4. Harry Brook (51 in 26 balls, with five fours and two sixes) did score a half-century, but wickets fell quickly on the other end, with Harshit (3/33) and spinner Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) taking the spotlight. England was restricted at 166 and lost by 15 runs.

Dube got the ‘Player of the Match’ award. India has won the series 3-1.

Retirements in sports are something that evokes a variety of emotions, be it regret, heartbreak, relief, a sense of unfinished business or a fairytale-like feeling, both on the part of players and their fans. Very few get a privilege of retiring at the peak of their powers, with a major trophy in their hands and their fans screaming their names out loud. Cricket in 2024 was no different as it saw many players put an end to their careers. Plenty of these retirements sent emotional fans on a nostalgic trip, watching all the highlights of their major performances, trending their names on social media through hashtags and fan-made video edits and in all, just hoping that they got to accomplish slightly more in their careers. Here are the 10 biggest retirements in cricket from 2024.

Rohit Sharma (T20Is)

Perhaps the most heartwarming retirement of 2024. After the heartbreak of succumbing to Australia after a 10-match win streak in the ICC Cricket World Cup last year at home, Rohit during the T20 WC was a man on a mission. From a record fifth-T20I ton against Afghanistan at home to smashing Mitchell Starc for 29 runs in an over including four sixes, to his revengeful fifty against England in the semis, Rohit was at his destructive best in T20Is, scoring 378 runs at an average of 42.00, strike rate of 160.16, with a century and three fifties.

He top-scored for India in T20 WC, with 257 runs in eight matches at an average of 36.71, a strike rate of over 156 and three half-centuries, with his 41-ball 92 against Australia being his best knock. The final pictures of Rohit in T20I clothing saw the ‘Hitman’ laying down on the pitch in relief, tasting the Barbados soil which helped his side end their 11-year-long ICC title drought.

Virat Kohli (T20Is)

Virat and one-man carryjobs during T20 World Cups, a story repeated too often for his country’s good. After a bumper Orange Cap winning Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, in which he made 741 runs at an average of 61.75 with a century, five fifties and 38 sixes, the 36-year-old experienced a sharp dip in his form in a tournament where he thrived the most. Instead of playing the anchor role like the old days, Virat would throw his wicket in the most ‘un-Virat’ ways possible on tough pitches of the US and Caribbean and it seemed that the new-age T20I formula of slogging would not work on him. However, during the final, he played a ‘vintage Virat’ knock of 76 in 59 balls, helping his team secure a seven-run win over South Africa to win the title.

In his final T20I game, India’s biggest match-winner in T20Is ended up with a match-winning fifty, a ‘Player of the Match’ award, the highest amount of runs in T20 WC history (with 1,292 runs in 35 matches, average of 58.72, 15 fifties), and 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is at an average of 48.69, strike rate of 137.04, a century and 38 fifties.

David Warner (All formats of international cricket)

Perhaps Australia’s finest all-format opener retired from all formats of the game after a Super Eight exit from the T20 World Cup, in which he made 178 runs in seven matches with two fifties. In his final T20I game against India, concluded an era of audacious hitting, unmatched charisma and aggression on the field and all-format brilliance.

In 112 Tests for Australia, Warner scored 8,786 runs at an average of 44.59, with 26 centuries and 37 fifties in 205 innings. His best score is 335*. He is the fifth-highest run-getter for Australia in Tests.

Playing 161 ODIs, Warner scored 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of above 97, making 22 centuries and 33 fifties in 159 innings. His best score is 179. He is the sixth-highest run-getter in ODIs for Australia.

Warner is Australia’s highest run-getter in T20Is, scoring 3,277 runs in 110 matches at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 142.47. He scored a century and 28 fifties, with the best score of 100*.

With 18,995 runs in 383 games, 49 centuries, 98 fifties, two ICC Cricket World Cup titles, one ICC T20 World Cup and ICC World Test Championship title each, Warner retired as Australia’s second-highest run-getter and one of the greatest all-format openers of all time.

James Anderson (all formats of international cricket)

England’s ageless pace wonder finally pulled down curtains on his glorious career during the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July, taking four wickets in his final match. As inspiring Anderson was to deliver remarkable, low-economy spells, taking crucial wickets, staying at the top of his fitness game at the age of 42, retirement had to come for the sake of future generations.

The fast bowler bid farewell to Test cricket after the first Test at Lord’s as the third-highest Test wicket-taker to grace the game. The 41-year-old took four wickets in the Test match to finish with 704 career scalps in 188 Tests at an average of 25.45, the third behind Muttiah Muralidaran and the late Shane Warne. In 401 international matches, he ended up falling short of 1,000 wickets, at 991 wickets at an average of 27.28, 34 five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/42. He is also England’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs (269 scalps) and overall, their first pacer to reach 700 Test scalps and a T20 WC winner in 2010.

Shikhar Dhawan (All formats of international cricket and Indian domestic cricket)

A name that often slipped under the radar due to the otherwordly brilliance of Rohit Sharma and Virat in ODIs particularly, Dhawan was India’s crisis man in ICC ODI tournaments, often giving explosive starts to make things easier for Rohit-Virat in later overs.

Having last played for India in December 2022, in 167 ODI appearances, the southpaw produced swashbuckling performances and racked up 6,793 runs at an average of 44.1, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties.

In the longest format of cricket, where he stitched up memorable partnerships with Murali Vijay, Dhawan garnered 2,315 runs in 34 matches at an average of 40.6. His Test career was laced with seven tons and five half-centuries.

In the T20I format, Dhawan made 68 appearances and scored 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.

He top-scored in the 2013 and 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, with former a title-winning campaign in the UK. With 701 runs in 10 matches at an average of 77,88, three centuries and three fifties, he is India’s top run-getter in the tournament and overall third. He was also India’s top run-getter and fifth-overall in 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup with 412 runs at an average of 51.50, with two centuries and a fifty. His best score was 137.

He was crowned Player of the Tournament in U-19 WC 2004, Champions Trophy in 2013 and Asia Cup 2018.

Moeen Ali (All formats of international cricket)

One of the most underrated names in world cricket, left the international scene quietly in September after helping England retain the 2023 Ashes with some impactful performances and sticking around till the T20

World Cup during his team’s semifinal run.

The all-rounder featured in 298 international matches from 2014-2024 for the English side in his cricketing career.

Moeen made his international debut in 2014 against West Indies. He scored 6678 international runs at an average of 25.20, with eight tons and 28 fifties and picked 366 wickets at an average of 39.09. He won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup with the Three Lions.

Tim Southee (all formats of international cricket)

One of the many modern-day greats from the class of 2008 ICC U19 World Cup, Southee made an incredible impact for Kiwis, mostly with the ball, but sometimes with the bat as well.

After the home series against England recently, Southee walked away from the game with 776 international wickets at an average of 29.57, the most by any Kiwi bowler across all formats. Southee secured 391 Test wickets at an average of 30.26, the second-most by any NZ bowler, behind Richard Hadlee (431 scalps). He is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 164 wickets at an average of 22.38, the most by any bowler. With 221 ODI wickets, he also is the third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs for Kiwis, behind Kyle Mills (240 wickets) and Daniel Vettori (297 wickets).

He was also a capable lower-order batter, with 3,288 runs in 394 matches at an average of 14.11, with eight fifties. Most of these runs came in Tests, making 2,245 runs at an average of 15.48, with seven fifties. His tally of 98 sixes in Tests is the fourth-highest by any Test cricketer.

However, he could not win any white-ball trophy with Kiwis, and secured the inaugural ICC World Test Championship 2019-21 title, NZ’s first-ever world title in any form of the sport.

Ravichandran Ashwin (all formats of international cricket)

Words like ‘nerd’, ‘scientist’, ‘genius’ are regularly associated with cricketers. However, with his understanding of the game’s rules, the right use of the right tactics at the right time and role in a 12-year-long unbeaten home run for Team India, Ashwin earned a repute as one of the greatest thinkers in the sport. Be it his insightful interviews or his well-thought out YouTube discussions, they garnered as much attention as his all-round excellence.

However, the rare home set-back to NZ was the breaking point for this champion player, who announced his retirement during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia after the Brisbane Test, having last played the pink-ball Adelaide Test and picking up a wicket, scoring 29 runs.

In 106 Tests for India, the legendary all-rounder took 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 7/59. He took 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-fers in his Test career. He is the seventh highest wicket taker in Tests overall and second-highest for India behind legendary spinner Anil Kumble (619 scalps). He also has 2nd most five-wicket hauls in Tests, behind Sri Lankan spin icon Muttiah Muralitharan (67).

He also made 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, with six centuries and 14 fifties in 151 innings and best score of 124.

In 116 ODIs, the ace spinner took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also made 707 runs at an average of 16.44, with one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket …

With 765 scalps in 287 matches, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker across all formats, next to Kumble (953). He also won the 2011 50-Over World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy with India.

South Africa’s Dean Elgar (All forms of international cricket)

Though not the biggest in the list in terms of superstardom, Elgar’s tough Test innings have made him one of the grittiest and gutsiest players on this list. He retired from all of international cricket after the home Test series against India at home.

Elgar, 37, enjoyed an impressive Test career since making his debut for South Africa in 2012, scoring 5,347 runs across 86 matches at an average of 37.92, with 14 centuries and 23 fifties. Though in eight ODIs, he could score just 104 runs in seven innings with best score of 42. His rock-solid knocks and defence provided stability to Proteas as they moved on from the golden era of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis etc.

Shakib Al Hasan (Tests and T20Is)

One of the ‘Big Five’ stars for Bangladesh alongside Tamim Iqbal, Mahmadullah, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Mortaza that defined their cricket in the 21st century, pulled down curtains on his Test and T20I career in 2024 after the Test series against India.

With an eye on the ICC Champions Trophy, Shakib will feature in ODIs but his team will miss his all-round services in other two formats dearly considered his unmatched consistency with both bat and ball.

In 71 Tests, he scored 4,609 runs at an average of 37.77, with five centuries and 31 fifties and best score of 217. He is Bangladesh’s third-highest Test run-getter. With 246 runs in 71 Tests at an average of 31.72, best figures of 7/36 and 19 five-wicket hauls, he is Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker in Tests.

Coming to T20Is, he is the team’s leading run-getter with 2,551 runs in 129 matches and 127 innings at an average of 23.19 and 13 fifties. His best score is 84. With 149 scalps in 129 matches at an average of 20.91 and two fivers, he is also the team’s leading wicket-taker.

Former India batter Shikhar Dhawan shone in the world of cricket to get immense fame, but his personal life has been really hard of late. Having been separated from his wife Ayesha Mukherjee, Dhawan has not been able to meet his son Zoravar in person for two years now. On Thursday, Zoravar turned 10 and an emotional Dhawan could not hold himself back from putting up a heart-wrenching post for his son. “No matter the distance, even if we can’t connect as we once did, you will always be in my heart. Wishing you a year filled with madness, love, and happiness, Zora beta!” wrote Dhawan on Instagram.

Making his India debut in 2010, Dhawan leaves behind a legacy studded with milestones. He amassed over 10,000 international runs across formats, with 6793 ODI runs at a remarkable average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. His Test debut in 2013 against Australia was unforgettable, with an 85-ball century – the fastest by a debutant – eventually leading to a dazzling 187. In T20Is, Dhawan tallied 1759 runs with a strike rate of 126.36.

Dhawan’s ODI prowess stood out, especially during India’s 2013 Champions Trophy victory, where he scored 363 runs to clinch the Golden Bat award. In the IPL, his consistency shone brightly as he became the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 6,769 runs.

In 34 Tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, and in 68 T20Is, 1759 at a strike rate of 126.36.

Dhawan represented Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the IPL, where he is the second-highest run-getter behind Kohli. His 6769 runs came across 222 matches at a strike rate of 127.14.

In domestic cricket, Dhawan’s early years coincided with the Ranji Trophy success for Delhi; he was part of the title-winning team in 2007-08 when Delhi beat Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede. He was also the top run-scorer at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.

(With IANS Inputs)