Cricketers had a very eventful 2021 year. The ICC World Test Championship Final happened for the first time and for the first time in five years, the ICC T20 World Cup happened in 2021. Besides, many T20 leagues happened across the world and also there were multiple ICC Cricket World Cup Super League series that happened across the world.
While there were many happy moments on the field for cricketers, there were some unexpected retirements as well. Here’s a look at the five players who surprised the world with their decision to retire in 2021.
1. Quinton de Kock
South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock surprised the entire cricket universe by announcing retirement from Test cricket on December 30, 2021. Just that day only he was playing for South Africa against India. But he quit Tests for his family.
2. Unmukt Chand
Former India U-19 World Cup winning captain Unmukt Chand retires from Indian cricket in August 2021. He took this decision to advance his career in the USA.
3. Asghar Afghan
Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan retired from international cricket in ICC T20 World Cup 2021. What surprised some fans was the way he retired. While he could have retired after the T20 World Cup ended, he retired midway after the match against Namibia.
4. Mahmudullah
Bangladesh white-ball captain Mahmudullah surprised the fans by making a decision to retire from Test cricket midway during a Test match against Zimbabwe. The right-handed batter signed off on a high by playing his Test career’s best knock ever.
5. AB de Villiers
While the aforementioned four names announced retirement from international cricket, AB de Villiers retired from all forms of cricket in 2021. One of the greatest cricketers of all time is unlikely to ever play a game of cricket. The right-handed batter played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021 and was in excellent touch. So it was surprising to see him leave the way he did.
