Every year, cricket fans will have to digest the news of the retirement of their favourite cricketers. In 2020, the likes of MS Dhoni retired, which left many unhappy. 2021 has also seen its share of retirements, which have left some of the fans disappointed. In this article, we take a look at the best XI of cricketers who retired in 2021.
Retirements are now being taken twice in the game of cricket. While firstly, players have to quit from international cricket, then, they must also decide on franchise cricket. Of course, a few take the decision of retiring from all forms of the game.
Openers: Upul Tharanga and Brendan Taylor (WK)
Upul Tharanga and Brendan Taylor will open the batting for this best XI of cricketers who retired in 2021. The Sri Lankan opener, who has also captained the nation, retired in February. He has enjoyed a fine stint as an opener for the team but has also seen his share of controversies. On the other hand, Brendan Taylor has arguably been the greatest player for Zimbabwe in this generation. Taylor has also captained the squad and his retirement will leave a big hole in the team.
Middle-Order: Asghar Afghan, AB de Villiers (C), and Wesley Barresi
Asghar Afghan was the fulcrum around which Afghanistan cricket revolved around for a while. In the T20 World Cup campaign, the cricketer made the decision to quit the game. He wanted to pave way for youngsters and hence, made took the call.
The most shocking decision of retirement belonged to AB de Villiers. One of the greatest cricketers, ABD had retired from international cricket a few years ago. At the end of the year, he announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
Wesley Barresi is a Dutch cricketer who played 32 ODIs and 42 T20Is for his country. He called his retirement in February 2021.
All-Rounders: Ryan ten Doeschate, Yusuf Pathan and Dwayne Bravo
Ryan ten Doeschate, Yusuf Pathan and Dwayne Bravo will be the all-rounders in this best XI of cricketers who retired in 2021. Ryan ten Doeschate was an important player in the history of Netherlands cricket. He played his last game at the T20 World Cup. Dual World Cup-winner Yusuf Pathan also hung up his boots in 2021. He had a fine start to his career but could not cement his place. Dwayne Bravo, one of the greatest T20 cricketers, announced retirement from international cricket in 2021. However, he will continue playing franchise cricket.
Bowlers: Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn and Lasith Malinga
It will be a blockbuster bowling attack for this XI. Harbhajan Singh’s retirement call was long-due and he made the decision at the end of 2021. It was a while that he had played for Team India. Due to injury issues mainly, both Steyn and Malinga also called time on their game. Bhajji is likely to join IPL as a mentor for one of the teams while not much is known about the future plans of the other two great pacers.
