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Many legendary cricketers retired in the decade (2010-2019) gone by. Some might consider this a sad thing as they dearly miss watching their favourite players. However, on the positive side, their retirement has handed out opportunities to emerging players, to be great like them. This cycle continues and the cricket world is blessed with innumerable talents gaining the limelight year after year.
Cricketers have many avenues after hanging their boots - some of which include doing commentary, taking up coaching roles, or starting their own academies. In this article, we will aim to create the best XI of International stalwarts who retired from all forms of international cricket in the past decade.
NOTE: Some of these players might still be playing in domestic leagues such as the IPL and Big Bash League. Retirement from International cricket has been taken as the criteria to create the list.
The upcoming list is an opinion of the author.
Without further ado, here they are:
#1 Hashim Amla
South Africa's Hashim Amla makes the cut in our Best XI of retired cricketers for his remarkable career. The 36-year-old from Durban was a key figure for the Proteas across all three formats.
The Indian origin opener played 124 Tests in which he amassed 9282 at an average of 46.41 and a strike rate of 49.97. He also has 28 centuries and 4 double hundreds to his name in Tests. Amla was also the first and only South African player to score a triple century.
One of the finest stroke makers in the game, Amla made a total of 8113 runs in 181 ODIs at a brilliant average of 49.47 and a noteworthy strike rate of 88.39. Apart from 39 fifties, the right-handed batsman also has 27 ODI centuries to his name.
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Runs flowed effortlessly from Amla's blade and he was highly regarded for his sublime wristwork. An astonishingly consistent player, Amla also got success in the shortest format of the game. He scored 1277 in 44 T20Is at an average of 33.61 and a strike rate of 132.06.
Earlier in January 2018, Amla had broken the Virat Kohli's record for becoming the fastest to reach 27 centuries in ODIs. The Durban-born player reached the milestone in 167 innings.
Amla announced his retirement from international cricket on 8 August 2019. He continues to play domestic T20 leagues and also features in the Qatar T10 League.
The prolific run-scorer was named in the ICC Test Team of the year four times and ICC ODI team of the year twice.
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#2 Brendon McCullum
One of the most successful WK-batsman of all time, Brendon McCullum is the second payer to feature in this XI.
The New Zealander has a stellar record in all three formats of the game. Brendon amassed 6083 runs in 260 ODIs at an average of 30.41 and a strike rate of 96.37.
The 38-year-old, who used to describe himself as brash, has 6453 runs in 101 Test Matches at an average of 38.64 and a strike rate of 64.6. The Dunedin-born player also has 12 centuries, 2 double hundreds, and 31 fifties in the longest format of the game.
The destructive batsman holds an impressive T20I record as well. McCullum scored 2140 runs in 71 T20Is matches at an average of 35.67 and a strike rate of 136.22. He has two hundreds to his name in the format and is still the 5th highest run-scorer in T20Is even after nearly four years of his retirement.
The T20 specialist played for many domestic teams such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Brisbane Heat, Gujarat Lions, Chennai Super Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The former Kiwi skipper bid adieu to international cricket in February 2016.
McCullum is currently a commentator and head coach of Shahrukh Khan-owned IPL franchise KKR.
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#3 Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin hardly needs any introduction. One of the most decorated cricketers of all time, there are few people in the world who do not heard of him.
Regarded by many as the greatest batsman to grace the game, Sachin is the highest run-scorer of all time in International cricket and the only player to score 100 centuries overall.
The Little Master excelled in both ODIs and Tests. He went on to score a record 18426 runs in 463 ODIs at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.24. The Mumbai-born player also bowled leg-breaks and has 154 ODI Wickets to his name. Sachin was also a part of the Indian team which won the World Cup in 2011.
Furthermore, the legend played 200 Tests in which he went on to score 15921 runs at an astonishing average of 53.79 and a strike rate of 54.08. He was truly one of the most complete batsmen with an array of fine cricketing shots in his arsenal.
Sachin is a diamond and his hard work and dedication helped him reach the pinnacle in world cricket. He is the reason why cricket is considered a religion in the subcontinent. One of the most influential people in the world, Sachin retired from ODIs in 2012 and subsequently T20 cricket in 2013. The entire nation wept when Sachin retired from all forms of cricket on 16 November 2013.
Earlier in 2019, the veteran was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
#4 Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is undoubtedly one of the most successful captains of all time. Punter, as he is widely known, had a winning percentage of 67.91% as captain.
The specialist right-handed batsman scored 13704 runs in 375 ODIs at an average of 42.04 and a strike rate of 80.39. He also has 30 centuries and 80 fifties to his name in the fifty-over format.
Furthermore, the former Australian captain played 168 Test matches in which he amassed 13378 runs at an average of 51.85 and strike rate of 58.72. The 45-year-old boasts of 41 centuries, 6 double hundreds, and 62 fifties in Tests. He retired from Tests on 3 December 2012 but continued to play in domestic T20 leagues till the end of 2013.
The aggressive batsman had the burning desire to win at all times. Ponting captained Australia to three World Cup titles and is another true legend of the game. He would surely be the captain of the Best XI of players who retired in the past decade.
Post retirement, Ponting has coached the IPL team Mumbai Indians between 2014 and 2016. He was Delhi Capitals' coach in IPL season 12 and also features regularly as a TV commentator.
#5 Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara's career spanned 15 years. He is one of the classiest batsmen of all time and would also be the Wicket keeper of this team.
The top-order batsman is only behind Sachin Tendulkar when it comes to ODI runs. He scored 14234 runs in the 404 ODIs he played at an average of 41.99 and strike rate of 78.86. The Sri Lankan great also holds the record for the most wicket-keeping dismissals in ODIs. The elegant stroke maker also produced 25 hundreds and 93 fifties with his willow.
Sanga amassed 12400 runs at a strike rate of 54.19 and mind-boggling average of 57.14 in the 134 matches he played in his splendid Test career. Sangakarra has 38 hundreds, 11 double hundreds, and 52 fifties in the longest format of cricket.
The 42-year-old led Sri Lanka to their maiden ICC World Twenty20 title in 2014 and was also awarded the man of the match in the final.
He retired from T20 internationals after the flagship tournament and played his last international test match against India in August 2015.
The Matale-born player is currently a cricket commentator and President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
#6 AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the finest South African cricketers of all time. Mr.360 is an extremely attacking player and was also named ICC ODI Player of the Year thrice in his glorious career lasting 15 years.
The Warmbad-born player is highly regarded for his range of unorthodox shots, creativity, exceptional fielding, and innovation as a batsman.
AB amassed 9577 runs in the 228 ODIs he played at an average of 53.5 and phenomenal Strike rate of 101.1 The destructive batsman has 25 centuries and 53 fifties to his name in ODIs.
The right-handed batsman could rip apart any bowling line-up on his day and it was virtually impossible to stop him. AB also scored 1672 runs in 78 T20Is he played at a strike rate of 135.17.
Meanwhile, ABD also has 8765 runs to his name in 114 Test matches and is among a select group of players who boast of an average of over 50 in both Tests and ODIs.
AB de Villiers retired from all forms of international cricket in May 2018. He continues to play domestic T20 leagues. The explosive batsman played for Tshwane Spartans in the 2019 Mzansi Super League while he is currently playing for Brisbane Heat in the ongoing Big Bash League. The decorated batsman has also been a part of IPL's Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2011.
Although he is currently retired, ABD is reportedly trying to make a comeback in the national team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2020.
#7 Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. The legendary South African is the only player who has over 10,000 runs in both ODIs and Tests along with over 250 wickets in both formats.
Kallis' statistics are astounding and he captured hearts all around the globe with his skills. The all-rounder scored 11579 runs in 328 ODIs at an average of 44.36 and a strike rate of 72.89. He also has 17 tons and 86 fifties to his name in the fifty-over format. To add to this, the Protean clinched 272 wickets in ODIs.
The South African great also boasts of a spectacular Test career in which he amassed 13289 runs in 166 matches at an average of 55.37 and strike rate of 45.98. Kallis scored 45 tons in his Test cricket, only behind Sachin Tendulkar. He also clinched 292 wickets in his Tests.
The right-handed player retired from Tests in December 2013 and subsequently bid adieu to all the formats in July 2014. Kallis had an illustrious career spanning 19 years and was recently appointed as the batting consultant of South Africa's national team in December 2019.
#8 Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is one of the most successful all-rounders of all time. The former Pakistani skipper was lethal with his leg-breaks and also an explosive batsman.
Known as Boom Boom due to his batting style, Afridi amassed 8064 runs in 398 ODIs at a phenomenal strike rate of 117.00 and an average of 23.57. The Kyber-born player has 6 centuries and 37 fifties to his name in the fifty-over format. What is more impressive, however, is that he clinched 395 ODI wickets at an economy rate of 4.62.
Afridi also played 27 Tests for Pakistan in which he scored a total of 1716 runs at an average of 36.51 and made 48 scalps at an economy rate of 3.21.
One of the most complete all-rounders, the 39-year-old played 99 T20Is for the national team in which he scored 1416 runs at a strike rate of 150.00 in addition to clinching 98 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.63.
He holds a special record of hitting 351 sixes in ODIs, the most by any batsman in the format. His 102 off 37 deliveries against Sri Lanka back in 1996 is also the 3rd fastest century by a batsman in the format.
A commendable spinner who specialised in changing his pace, Afridi is only behind Malinga in the most wickets chart in T20Is. Afridi has 98 while Malinga has 106 wickets in the format.
The above statistics are simply staggering and proof of Afridi's ability. The legendary all-rounder retired from International cricket in May 2018.
Afridi actively plays domestic T20 leagues around the world and his last outing was for three-time Champions Dhaka Platoons in the 2019-20 Bangladesh Premier League.
#9 Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori captained New Zealand between 2007 and 2011 and is one of the best bowlers the country ever produced. The bowling all-rounder was regarded for his accuracy with the ball. His flighted deliveries combined with his variations of speed helped Vettori gain a lot of success.
The spin wizard is New Zealand's leading ODI wicket-taker of all time and second (after Richard Hadlee) in their Test wickets tally. The 40-year-old has 362 wickets to his name in 113 Test matches at an economy rate of 2.59.
In 295 ODI matches, Vettori has made 305 scalps at an economy rate of 4.12. Furthermore, Vettori scored 4531 runs in Tests and 2253 runs in ODIs. He is only among the eight players to have managed the double of over 300 test wickets and 3000 runs.
The Auckland-born player also featured in 34 T20Is in which he clinched 38 wickets at an economy rate of 5.70.
Vettori retired from all forms of international cricket post the 2015 Cricket World Cup. He is considered one of the best leaders and a World-class player.
Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed him as their Spin bowling coach in July 2019.
#10 Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan is amongst the best Indian left-arm seamers of all time. With his steady pace and the ability to swing the ball both ways, the Maharashtra-born player became an instant hit.
Khan had a glorious career spanning 14 years in which he set multiple records. With his inch-perfect yorkers, knuckle balls, and perfectly executed reverse swinging deliveries, the 41-year-old picked up many wickets in his career. He was instrumental during India's 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph and led the pace attack with 21 wickets in 9 matches.
The gifted bowler clinched 282 wickets in 200 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.93 while he had a total of 311 scalps in 92 Test matches at an economy rate of 3.27, including 11 five-wicket hauls in the longest format.
Zaheer Khan also played 17 T20Is for India in which he clinched 17 wickets. He bid adieu to the sport in October 2015 and continued to feature in domestic T20 leagues around the world. He has also had a few stints as a commentator.
#11 Shoaib Akhtar
Popularly known as Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar was one of the most feared speedsters of his time. The former Pakistani cricketer had an illustrious fourteen-year career.
Akhtar clocked speeds of almost 100 miles and even the classiest batsmen struggled against him. His lethal bouncers and raw pace were his biggest weapons and batsmen like Brian Lara, Ganguly, Sachin, and Ponting also had difficulties facing him.
The right-handed bowler clinched 247 wickets in 163 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.77. He also made 178 scalps in the 46 Test matches he played for Pakistan in addition to the 19 wickets in 15 T20Is. The feared bowler also has an impressive 12 five-wicket hauls and 2 10 wicket-hauls in Tests.
Shoaib holds the record for the fastest delivery bowled at a top speed of 161. 3 km/h (100.23 mph). Like most of the authentic fast bowlers, Akhtar had his fair share of injuries throughout his career. Regardless, he had a sensational career before hanging up his boots after the 2011 World Cup. He is currently a cricket commentator.
#12 Mitchell Johnson (12th man)
The 12th man in this team is Mitchell Johnson who was one of the best fast bowlers of his time. The southpaw went on to become one of Australia's key weapon. His ability to generate extra bounce caused trouble to even the most well-established batsmen.
The Queenslander was a handy batsman down the order as well and could play aggressive strokes. Mitch, as he is popularly known, played 153 ODIs in which he clinched 239 wickets at an economy rate of 4.84. He also has 951 runs and 2 fifties to his name in ODIs. The 38-year-old had potent in Tests as well. He clinched 313 wickets in the 73 Test matches he played with an economy rate of 3.33.
Additionally, the speedster played 30 T20Is in which he claimed 38 wickets at an economy rate of 7.29.
Johnson's retirement came as a surprise and many feel that it was not a logical decision. The winner of the ICC Test Player of the Year award in 2014, Mitch hung up his boots from international cricket in November 2015. Post his retirement, the left-hander played for Perth Scorchers, Karachi Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders in the respective domestic T20 leagues.
He is currently a commentator with the Big Bash League and the JLT Cup.
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