• Source:JND

The year 2026 just begun, and it will be full of cricketing action. There are also a lot of ICC events being held this year, and all eyes will be on the Indian team, who will be entering as the favourites.

New players might make their debut, and a few veteran players might announce their retirement. Let's take a look at five Indian cricketers who might retire this year.

1. Mohammed Shami

He isn't part of the national team after the 2023 ODI World Cup. After more than two years of the mega event, the star pacer has just featured in nine matches for India. It should be noted here that he had played in seven of these matches in the Champions Trophy 2025 and then in two T20Is against England last year.

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These last two years for Shami have been hugely impacted by injuries and fitness issues. Lately, he was also involved in an argument with BCCI selector Ajit Agarkar. He called himself to play for India, but the selector didn't agree, and that's why he has been snubbed from the national team.

His lack of match practice might force the team management to look beyond him for future options, and that's why Shami might retire if he is constantly ignored by the selectors.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal

Like Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal is another player who is out of the Indian player. Chahal, who has played for India in two formats, hasn't played for India after August 2023. It's been more than two years since the selectors picked him for the team.

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Chahal is currently playing in IPL and domestic tournaments, and it won't be surprising if he retires from this sport. Players like Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy are way ahead of him.

3. Ajinkya Rahane

He is working hard to return to the national side, but the selectors are not interested in choosing players who are in their mid-30s. Rahane last played Test cricket for India in July 2023.

Just like his fellow teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahane too might retire from this sport. Pujara too wanted to return to the national side but then retired in August last year.

4. Ravindra Jadeja

After lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup for India, Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game and shocked the world. At present, he is one of the key players in Tests, but doubtful in ODIs.

Since Gautam Gambhir took over as India's head coach, Jadeja has fallen behind Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in the pecking order in ODIs. The southpaw is also trying his best to impress the selectors to be in plans for the ODI World Cup 2027 squad.

However, if the 37-year-old continues to be ignored in 2026, then the star all-rounder might bid adieu to the fifty-over format and just be active in red-ball cricket for India.

5. Suryakumar Yadav

The India T20I captain is going through a tough phase in his career. The 35-year-old has amassed just 218 runs in 19 innings, averaging only 13.62. There are demands for his ouster from his team, but the reports suggested that the selectors don’t want to experiment with the team just months ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

SKY is only considered for one format, and given his struggle, he is likely to be shown the door post T20 World Cup 2026. Now with age not on his side and a struggle with the bat, SKY might eventually choose to retire from international cricket in the latter half of 2026.


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