Top 5 cricketers who shocked the world with sudden retirement

Cricket has produced immense talent over the years, with players setting and breaking records across generations. Cricketers gain fame through after years of performances. But, when these stars retire from the sport, it leaves an emotional void.

In 2025, cricket witnessed the retirement of nearly 15 players across various formats, some stepping away from a single format, while others bidding farewell to the game entirely. Some retirements came as a complete surprise for the cricketing world. On that note, let us take a look at the five most unexpected cricket retirements of 2025.

5 cricketers who shocked the world with sudden retirement

5. Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on June 2, 2025. The wicketkeeper-batter made his international debut for South Africa in an ODI against India in Cape Town in 2018. The 33-year-old featured in 60 ODIs, scoring 2141 runs at an average of 43.69. He also played 58 T20Is, scoring 1000 runs for the Proteas. His appearances in Test cricket were limited, as he played four matches and scored 104 runs in the format.

Notably, Klaasen was in fine form leading up to his retirement, recently scoring a century for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2025. His decision to step away from international cricket came as a major surprise to both fans and cricketing experts.