The year 2020 has been a rough one for everyone, especially in the sports world. Although everyone has got adjusted to the new normal, some sports have not resumed at all. For the first time in 12 years, IPL happened behind closed doors with no live fans. The senior players also lost their touch because of the long break from March to July in the entire cricket world.
While some veteran cricketers continued playing cricket, many of them decided to hang up their boots. In 2020, ten Indian cricketers chose to end their careers.
Here’s a full list of the Indian players who announced their retirement this year.
1. MS Dhoni
Starting with the most prominent name present on this list, former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni shocked the entire world by announcing his retirement on Instagram. He did it on Independence Day evening.
Many fans hoped that Dhoni would play for the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2020. Unfortunately, the global event got postponed to 2022.
2. Suresh Raina
The Indian cricket fans were recovering from MS Dhoni’s retirement shock that Suresh Raina decided to join him on his journey. The 2011 Cricket World Cup-winning player even missed IPL 2020.
However, Raina has given a significant update on his future ahead of the new season. He has confirmed his participation in IPL 2021 and will also represent Uttar Pradesh at the domestic level.
3. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan was the first Indian cricketer to retire in 2020. The southpaw announced his decision to quit international cricket on January 4.
Pathan has been active on the cricket field after retirement. He played for the India Legends in the Road Safety World Series and playing for Kandy Tuskers in Lanka Premier League.
4. Wasim Jaffer
Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer is currently the batting coach of the Kings XI Punjab. He has become quite popular on social media with his humorous posts.
In case you didn’t know, Jaffer was active in domestic cricket for Vidarbha. The right-handed batsman ended his domestic career in March because of injury issues.
5. Sudeep Tyagi
Former Indian fast bowler Sudeep Tyagi did not play much international cricket. However, he was quite popular in the cricketing circles because of his stint with the Chennai Super Kings.
While Tyagi had been away from the IPL and the Indian team, he ended his career recently. Like Irfan Pathan, Sudeep Tyagi is playing in the Lanka Premier League after retirement.
6. Pragyan Ojha
Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was the first spin bowler to win the IPL Purple Cap. The southpaw played for the Mumbai Indians and the Deccan Chargers in the league.
Unfortunately, he could not get an IPL contract in the previous few seasons. Ojha played his last Test match back in 2013 and retired from all forms of cricket in February 2020.
7. Rajat Bhatia
Uncapped medium pace-bowling all-rounder Rajat Bhatia starred for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He played his last season for the Rising Pune Supergiant team.
Bhatia could never break into the Indian cricket team. However, he earned everyone’s respect in the IPL. Rajat called it a day on his career last July.
8. Parthiv Patel
Former Chennai Super Kings wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel made his international debut back in 2002. The southpaw did not play much international cricket, but he was a regular fixture in the IPL.
He made history by leading Gujarat to its first Ranji Trophy championship in the 2016/17 season. Patel announced his retirement from competitive cricket in December.
9. Praveen Tambe
In case you did not know, Praveen Tambe received a bid from the Kolkata Knight Riders to play in the IPL. However, BCCI did not allow him to participate because he had played in the T10 League.
After this decision, Tambe decided to play in other foreign competitions. To be eligible to play in the CPL, Tambe had to quit domestic cricket.
10. Tanmay Srivastava
It is shocking to see that Virat Kohli is the Indian cricket team captain right now, while his U-19 teammate Tanmay Srivastava retired in October. Srivastava played a vital role in the Indian team’s U-19 World Cup triumph.
Unfortunately, the 30-year-old could not make it big at the senior level. Thus, Tanmay decided to retire from all forms of cricket very early.
