Over the years, many cricketers attained fame and fortune in the international arena with their outstanding contributions to cricket with the bat, and ball combined with on-field brilliance including pulling off unbelievable catches and effecting breathtaking runouts. These players were at a different level and seemed to be unstoppable when they were on top of their game.

However, there were many cricketers who shockingly bid adieu to the game when they were at the peak of their respective international careers. Most of them were well-established cricketers who had shattered several cricketing records and were still going strong, but somewhere in their minds, they felt that the time had come for them to give up doing what they loved the most. Without further a do, here are-

6 cricketers who have surprisingly announced retirement since 2015

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1669894729571_Tamim-Iqbal.jpeg" alt="Tamim Iqbal" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Tamim Iqbal. (Photo Source: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Bangladesh's ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal stunned the cricketing fraternity when he announced his international retirement on Thursday, July 6 in the middle of the series against Afghanistan at home. Tamim's shocking announcement came after the Bangla Tigers lost to Afghanistan in the first of three ODIs in Chattogram.

The southpaw had announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game in the year 2022 in July. Tamim's announcement brings curtains on a 16-year-long illustrious career. He played a total of 70 Test matches for his country and amassed 5134 runs at a decent average of 38.89, including ten centuries and 31 fifties.

He also represented Bangladesh in 78 T20Is and went on to score 1758 runs at a strike rate of 116.96, including one century and seven half-centuries. The 34-year-old has also aggregated over 8000 runs in the ODI format and will be a big miss for the side at ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

<img class="size-full wp-image-500019" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Thisara-Perera.jpeg" alt="Thisara Perera" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-500019" class="wp-caption-text">Thisara Perera. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/you-can-hit-the-ball-miles-go-explode-thisara-perera-opens-up-on-a-special-moment-with-brother-ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thisara Perera</a></strong> was one of the promising all-rounders of Sri Lanka who contributed to the wickets tally with his medium-pace on a regular basis and was also known for his ability to play big shots in the middle-order. In fact, he hit the winning six in Sri Lanka’s famous T20 World Cup 2014 triumph against India in Dhaka.

Perera decided to bid adieu to international cricket in May last year but made it clear that he would continue to play franchise cricket. Of all batters with at least 2000 runs in One Day Internationals, the southpaw’s strike rate of an impressive 112.08 remains the fourth-highest of all time.

Thisara Perera might have thought about taking this decision as he did not feature in Sri Lanka’s playing XI on a consistent basis in white-ball cricket since 2015 when the Lankans were going through a transition phase after that year’s ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, national commitments had deprived him of playing in franchise leagues.

<img class="size-full wp-image-669191" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-669191" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum. (Photo Source: ICC/Twitter)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/were-not-a-finished-product-brendon-mccullum-backs-english-test-team-to-carry-forward-aggressive-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brendon McCullum</strong></a> is arguably the best captain after the late Martin Crowe to take New Zealand cricket to greater heights courtesy of his unique leadership and management tactics. He helped the Kiwis in playing a fearless brand of cricket which they inculcated even in Test cricket. Under McCullum’s guidance, the BlackCaps made their maiden World Cup final appearance in 2015 where they went down to Australia at MCG in a one-sided contest.

After the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup, Brendon was expected to lead New Zealand to their maiden world title in the following year’s T20 World Cup in India. However, in December, the explosive batter made it clear that he would be retiring from international cricket after the home Test series against Australia in February 2016.

While New Zealand won the three-match ODI series, 2-1, the Aussies went on to register an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series. More importantly in what was his final international game, McCullum broke the record for the fastest century in Tests. It took him just 54 balls to achieve this feat.

<img class="size-full wp-image-407913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Johnson-1.jpg" alt="Mitchell Johnson" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-407913" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Johnson. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Australia registered their record fifth World Cup triumph in 2015. While the triumph was possible due to collective performances and being a side to reckon with at home, some of the stalwarts of that win including the likes of wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin and skipper Michael Clarke bid adieu to international cricket going forward. However, it was pacer <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2019-indian-fan-left-red-faced-after-an-attempt-to-mock-mitchell-johnson-backfires/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitchell Johnson’s</a></strong> sudden retirement decision that left everyone shell-shocked.

Johnson was in the form of his life and at the peak of his career and had played a key role in Australia’s 2015 World Cup victory. Nonetheless, he felt his time in international cricket was up and bid adieu to the game after the conclusion of a Test match against New Zealand in November 2015 at his home stadium in WACA, Perth.

Mitchell Johnson’s retirement left the cricketing world especially Australian cricket in disbelief after their pace spearhead decided to move on in life just months after their celebrations of having conquered the world in their own backyard.

<img class="size-full wp-image-631493" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-2.jpg" alt="Kieron Pollard" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-631493" class="wp-caption-text">Kieron Pollard. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)</figcaption>

<strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-rashid-khan-dwayne-bravo-kieron-pollard-in-bbl-nominees-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kieron Pollard</a> </strong>was one of the West Indies’ go-to players for more than a decade in the international arena. He made a mark with his stellar all-round performances, but more importantly, was known for his power-hitting in the middle order which had the ability to change the complexion of the game.

Pollard decided to announce his retirement at a time when West Indies were trying to establish themselves as worthy challengers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Down Under and ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The all-rounder was leading them in limited-overs.

After representing the Windies for 15 years, the middle-order sensation felt that his time was up donning the maroon jersey and announced his international retirement with immediate effect in April this year. Nonetheless, Kieron Pollard had made it clear that he would be playing T20 and T10 leagues across the globe.

<img class="size-full wp-image-462606" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-462606" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/south-africa-batter-aiden-markram-names-ab-de-villiers-as-his-favorite-batter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AB de Villiers</strong></a> needs no introduction. He is known for introducing innovative and tactical batting when he was at the peak of his career in the mid-2010s. ABD scooped any lethal bowlers effortlessly for six by fearlessly walking across the stumps and did not shy away from switch-hitting either.

However, when Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was in the prime of his life having registered several cricketing records to his name including the fastest ODI century and averaging over 50 in Test cricket, he decided to call curtains down on his international career in May 2018 and from then on until 2021, there were rumors of him making a comeback to the South African team which never happened.

De Villiers’ sudden decision of stepping down from international cricket in 2018 left everyone stunned which eventually dented South Africa’s chances in the 2019 World Cup. ‘Mr.360’ was also criticized by many for choosing franchise cricket over the national team at a time when South Africa cricket was on a decline.

<p>CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA &#8211; FEBRUARY 07: AB de Villiers of the Proteas during the 4th ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka at PPC

<p>Over the years, many cricketers attained fame and fortune in the international arena with their outstanding contributions to cricket with the bat, and ball combined with on-field brilliance including pulling off unbelievable catches and effecting breathtaking runouts. These players were at a different level and seemed to be unstoppable when they were on top of their game.</p>
<p>However, there were many cricketers who shockingly bid adieu to the game when they were at the peak of their respective international careers. Most of them were well-established cricketers who had shattered several cricketing records and were still going strong, but somewhere in their minds, they felt that the time had come for them to give up doing what they loved the most. Without further a do, here are-</p>
<h3>6 cricketers who have surprisingly announced retirement since 2015</h3>
<h3>6. Tamim Iqbal</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1669894729571_Tamim-Iqbal.jpeg" alt="Tamim Iqbal" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Tamim Iqbal. (Photo Source: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bangladesh's ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal stunned the cricketing fraternity when he announced his international retirement on Thursday, July 6 in the middle of the series against Afghanistan at home. Tamim's shocking announcement came after the Bangla Tigers lost to Afghanistan in the first of three ODIs in Chattogram.</p>
<p>The southpaw had announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game in the year 2022 in July. Tamim's announcement brings curtains on a 16-year-long illustrious career. He played a total of 70 Test matches for his country and amassed 5134 runs at a decent average of 38.89, including ten centuries and 31 fifties.</p>
<p>He also represented Bangladesh in 78 T20Is and went on to score 1758 runs at a strike rate of 116.96, including one century and seven half-centuries. The 34-year-old has also aggregated over 8000 runs in the ODI format and will be a big miss for the side at ODI World Cup 2023 in India.</p>
<h3>5. Thisara Perera</h3>
<figure id="attachment_500019" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-500019" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-500019" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Thisara-Perera.jpeg" alt="Thisara Perera" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-500019" class="wp-caption-text">Thisara Perera. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/you-can-hit-the-ball-miles-go-explode-thisara-perera-opens-up-on-a-special-moment-with-brother-ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thisara Perera</a></strong> was one of the promising all-rounders of Sri Lanka who contributed to the wickets tally with his medium-pace on a regular basis and was also known for his ability to play big shots in the middle-order. In fact, he hit the winning six in Sri Lanka’s famous T20 World Cup 2014 triumph against India in Dhaka.</p>
<p>Perera decided to bid adieu to international cricket in May last year but made it clear that he would continue to play franchise cricket. Of all batters with at least 2000 runs in One Day Internationals, the southpaw’s strike rate of an impressive 112.08 remains the fourth-highest of all time.</p>
<p>Thisara Perera might have thought about taking this decision as he did not feature in Sri Lanka’s playing XI on a consistent basis in white-ball cricket since 2015 when the Lankans were going through a transition phase after that year’s ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, national commitments had deprived him of playing in franchise leagues.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Brendon McCullum</h3>
<figure id="attachment_669191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-669191" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-669191" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum" width="600" height="347" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-669191" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum. (Photo Source: ICC/Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/were-not-a-finished-product-brendon-mccullum-backs-english-test-team-to-carry-forward-aggressive-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brendon McCullum</strong></a> is arguably the best captain after the late Martin Crowe to take New Zealand cricket to greater heights courtesy of his unique leadership and management tactics. He helped the Kiwis in playing a fearless brand of cricket which they inculcated even in Test cricket. Under McCullum’s guidance, the BlackCaps made their maiden World Cup final appearance in 2015 where they went down to Australia at MCG in a one-sided contest.</p>
<p>After the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup, Brendon was expected to lead New Zealand to their maiden world title in the following year’s T20 World Cup in India. However, in December, the explosive batter made it clear that he would be retiring from international cricket after the home Test series against Australia in February 2016.</p>
<p>While New Zealand won the three-match ODI series, 2-1, the Aussies went on to register an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series. More importantly in what was his final international game, McCullum broke the record for the fastest century in Tests. It took him just 54 balls to achieve this feat.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Mitchell Johnson</h3>
<figure id="attachment_407913" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-407913" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-407913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Johnson-1.jpg" alt="Mitchell Johnson" width="640" height="403" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-407913" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Johnson. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia registered their record fifth World Cup triumph in 2015. While the triumph was possible due to collective performances and being a side to reckon with at home, some of the stalwarts of that win including the likes of wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin and skipper Michael Clarke bid adieu to international cricket going forward. However, it was pacer <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2019-indian-fan-left-red-faced-after-an-attempt-to-mock-mitchell-johnson-backfires/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitchell Johnson’s</a></strong> sudden retirement decision that left everyone shell-shocked.</p>
<p>Johnson was in the form of his life and at the peak of his career and had played a key role in Australia’s 2015 World Cup victory. Nonetheless, he felt his time in international cricket was up and bid adieu to the game after the conclusion of a Test match against New Zealand in November 2015 at his home stadium in WACA, Perth.</p>
<p>Mitchell Johnson’s retirement left the cricketing world especially Australian cricket in disbelief after their pace spearhead decided to move on in life just months after their celebrations of having conquered the world in their own backyard.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Kieron Pollard</h3>
<figure id="attachment_631493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-631493" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-631493" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-2.jpg" alt="Kieron Pollard" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-631493" class="wp-caption-text">Kieron Pollard. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-rashid-khan-dwayne-bravo-kieron-pollard-in-bbl-nominees-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kieron Pollard</a> </strong>was one of the West Indies’ go-to players for more than a decade in the international arena. He made a mark with his stellar all-round performances, but more importantly, was known for his power-hitting in the middle order which had the ability to change the complexion of the game.</p>
<p>Pollard decided to announce his retirement at a time when West Indies were trying to establish themselves as worthy challengers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Down Under and ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The all-rounder was leading them in limited-overs.</p>
<p>After representing the Windies for 15 years, the middle-order sensation felt that his time was up donning the maroon jersey and announced his international retirement with immediate effect in April this year. Nonetheless, Kieron Pollard had made it clear that he would be playing T20 and T10 leagues across the globe.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. AB de Villiers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_462606" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-462606" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-462606" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-462606" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/south-africa-batter-aiden-markram-names-ab-de-villiers-as-his-favorite-batter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AB de Villiers</strong></a> needs no introduction. He is known for introducing innovative and tactical batting when he was at the peak of his career in the mid-2010s. ABD scooped any lethal bowlers effortlessly for six by fearlessly walking across the stumps and did not shy away from switch-hitting either.</p>
<p>However, when Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was in the prime of his life having registered several cricketing records to his name including the fastest ODI century and averaging over 50 in Test cricket, he decided to call curtains down on his international career in May 2018 and from then on until 2021, there were rumors of him making a comeback to the South African team which never happened.</p>
<p>De Villiers’ sudden decision of stepping down from international cricket in 2018 left everyone stunned which eventually dented South Africa’s chances in the 2019 World Cup. ‘Mr.360’ was also criticized by many for choosing franchise cricket over the national team at a time when South Africa cricket was on a decline.</p>

<p>Over the years, many cricketers attained fame and fortune in the international arena with their outstanding contributions to cricket with the bat, and ball combined with on-field brilliance including pulling off unbelievable catches and effecting breathtaking runouts. These players were at a different level and seemed to be unstoppable when they were on top of their game.</p>
<p>However, there were many cricketers who shockingly bid adieu to the game when they were at the peak of their respective international careers. Most of them were well-established cricketers who had shattered several cricketing records and were still going strong, but somewhere in their minds, they felt that the time had come for them to give up doing what they loved the most. Without further a do, here are-</p>
<h3>6 cricketers who have surprisingly announced retirement since 2015</h3>
<h3>6. Tamim Iqbal</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1669894729571_Tamim-Iqbal.jpeg" alt="Tamim Iqbal" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Tamim Iqbal. (Photo Source: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bangladesh's ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal stunned the cricketing fraternity when he announced his international retirement on Thursday, July 6 in the middle of the series against Afghanistan at home. Tamim's shocking announcement came after the Bangla Tigers lost to Afghanistan in the first of three ODIs in Chattogram.</p>
<p>The southpaw had announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game in the year 2022 in July. Tamim's announcement brings curtains on a 16-year-long illustrious career. He played a total of 70 Test matches for his country and amassed 5134 runs at a decent average of 38.89, including ten centuries and 31 fifties.</p>
<p>He also represented Bangladesh in 78 T20Is and went on to score 1758 runs at a strike rate of 116.96, including one century and seven half-centuries. The 34-year-old has also aggregated over 8000 runs in the ODI format and will be a big miss for the side at ODI World Cup 2023 in India.</p>
<h3>5. Thisara Perera</h3>
<figure id="attachment_500019" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-500019" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-500019" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Thisara-Perera.jpeg" alt="Thisara Perera" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-500019" class="wp-caption-text">Thisara Perera. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/you-can-hit-the-ball-miles-go-explode-thisara-perera-opens-up-on-a-special-moment-with-brother-ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thisara Perera</a></strong> was one of the promising all-rounders of Sri Lanka who contributed to the wickets tally with his medium-pace on a regular basis and was also known for his ability to play big shots in the middle-order. In fact, he hit the winning six in Sri Lanka’s famous T20 World Cup 2014 triumph against India in Dhaka.</p>
<p>Perera decided to bid adieu to international cricket in May last year but made it clear that he would continue to play franchise cricket. Of all batters with at least 2000 runs in One Day Internationals, the southpaw’s strike rate of an impressive 112.08 remains the fourth-highest of all time.</p>
<p>Thisara Perera might have thought about taking this decision as he did not feature in Sri Lanka’s playing XI on a consistent basis in white-ball cricket since 2015 when the Lankans were going through a transition phase after that year’s ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, national commitments had deprived him of playing in franchise leagues.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Brendon McCullum</h3>
<figure id="attachment_669191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-669191" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-669191" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Brendon-McCullum.jpg" alt="Brendon McCullum" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-669191" class="wp-caption-text">Brendon McCullum. (Photo Source: ICC/Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/were-not-a-finished-product-brendon-mccullum-backs-english-test-team-to-carry-forward-aggressive-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brendon McCullum</strong></a> is arguably the best captain after the late Martin Crowe to take New Zealand cricket to greater heights courtesy of his unique leadership and management tactics. He helped the Kiwis in playing a fearless brand of cricket which they inculcated even in Test cricket. Under McCullum’s guidance, the BlackCaps made their maiden World Cup final appearance in 2015 where they went down to Australia at MCG in a one-sided contest.</p>
<p>After the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup, Brendon was expected to lead New Zealand to their maiden world title in the following year’s T20 World Cup in India. However, in December, the explosive batter made it clear that he would be retiring from international cricket after the home Test series against Australia in February 2016.</p>
<p>While New Zealand won the three-match ODI series, 2-1, the Aussies went on to register an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series. More importantly in what was his final international game, McCullum broke the record for the fastest century in Tests. It took him just 54 balls to achieve this feat.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Mitchell Johnson</h3>
<figure id="attachment_407913" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-407913" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-407913" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Johnson-1.jpg" alt="Mitchell Johnson" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-407913" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Johnson. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia registered their record fifth World Cup triumph in 2015. While the triumph was possible due to collective performances and being a side to reckon with at home, some of the stalwarts of that win including the likes of wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin and skipper Michael Clarke bid adieu to international cricket going forward. However, it was pacer <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2019-indian-fan-left-red-faced-after-an-attempt-to-mock-mitchell-johnson-backfires/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitchell Johnson’s</a></strong> sudden retirement decision that left everyone shell-shocked.</p>
<p>Johnson was in the form of his life and at the peak of his career and had played a key role in Australia’s 2015 World Cup victory. Nonetheless, he felt his time in international cricket was up and bid adieu to the game after the conclusion of a Test match against New Zealand in November 2015 at his home stadium in WACA, Perth.</p>
<p>Mitchell Johnson’s retirement left the cricketing world especially Australian cricket in disbelief after their pace spearhead decided to move on in life just months after their celebrations of having conquered the world in their own backyard.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Kieron Pollard</h3>
<figure id="attachment_631493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-631493" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-631493" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kieron-Pollard-2.jpg" alt="Kieron Pollard" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-631493" class="wp-caption-text">Kieron Pollard. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-rashid-khan-dwayne-bravo-kieron-pollard-in-bbl-nominees-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kieron Pollard</a> </strong>was one of the West Indies’ go-to players for more than a decade in the international arena. He made a mark with his stellar all-round performances, but more importantly, was known for his power-hitting in the middle order which had the ability to change the complexion of the game.</p>
<p>Pollard decided to announce his retirement at a time when West Indies were trying to establish themselves as worthy challengers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Down Under and ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The all-rounder was leading them in limited-overs.</p>
<p>After representing the Windies for 15 years, the middle-order sensation felt that his time was up donning the maroon jersey and announced his international retirement with immediate effect in April this year. Nonetheless, Kieron Pollard had made it clear that he would be playing T20 and T10 leagues across the globe.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. AB de Villiers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_462606" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-462606" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-462606" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-462606" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/south-africa-batter-aiden-markram-names-ab-de-villiers-as-his-favorite-batter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AB de Villiers</strong></a> needs no introduction. He is known for introducing innovative and tactical batting when he was at the peak of his career in the mid-2010s. ABD scooped any lethal bowlers effortlessly for six by fearlessly walking across the stumps and did not shy away from switch-hitting either.</p>
<p>However, when Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was in the prime of his life having registered several cricketing records to his name including the fastest ODI century and averaging over 50 in Test cricket, he decided to call curtains down on his international career in May 2018 and from then on until 2021, there were rumors of him making a comeback to the South African team which never happened.</p>
<p>De Villiers’ sudden decision of stepping down from international cricket in 2018 left everyone stunned which eventually dented South Africa’s chances in the 2019 World Cup. ‘Mr.360’ was also criticized by many for choosing franchise cricket over the national team at a time when South Africa cricket was on a decline.</p>

Over the years, many cricketers attained fame and fortune in the international arena with their outstanding contributions to cricket with the bat, and ball combined with on-field brilliance including

6 cricketers who announced surprise international retirement

A few players announced shocking retirement from international cricket in the last 7-8 years.

Six cricketers who announced surprise international retirement after 2015

A few players announced a shocking retirement from international cricket in the last 7-8 years.

Five cricketers who announced surprise international retirement after 2015

Top cricketers like AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, Kieron Pollard, etc. quit international cricket when they were at their peak.