YEAR ENDER 2025: The year 2025 has drawn a curtain on the IPL era for many of its ‘founding fathers’ and star superstars as all of them have officially hung up their boots.
Shikhar Dhawan
The “Gabbar” of Indian cricket actually called time on all forms of the game in August 2024, but 2025 is the first full season where his absence will be felt at the top of the order. As the second-highest run-scorer in the league’s history with 6,769 runs, consistency remained Dhawan’s forte. He led Punjab Kings in his last years and was one of the few players to score back-to-back hundreds in the league.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik’s retirement after the season of 2024 was well in place in 2025 as he transitioned into his new role of RCB’s Batting Coach and Mentor with much ease. One of the rare “evergreen” players who featured in every season from 2008 to 2024, Karthik finished as one of the most successful finishers in the league. His legacy will be defined by his incredible strike rate and his uncanny ability to win matches from situations that would probably appear beyond the reach of many others.
Piyush Chawla
The key member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in June 2025. Chawla leaves the IPL as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history with 192 wickets. Famous for hitting the winning runs for KKR in the 2014 Final, his longevity and “mystery” leg-break remained effective until his final season with Mumbai Indians.
Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha, widely regarded as one of the finest pure wicket-keepers India has ever had, retired in February 2025 after his final Ranji Trophy appearance. Saha holds the historic distinction of being the first Indian to score a century in an IPL Final in 2014. In his later years, he became a “powerplay specialist” for Gujarat Titans, providing explosive starts that were crucial to their 2022 title win.
Amit Mishra
The veteran leg-spinner officially called time on his professional career in September 2025. Mishra has one such record to his name which perhaps will never be broken: he is the only bowler in the history of the IPL to take three hat-tricks. All about classic flight and guile, Mishra was a mainstay for franchises like Delhi Capitals and SRH, ending his career as one of the top five wicket-takers in league history.
Krishnappa Gowtham
The Karnataka all-rounder announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in December 2025. Gowtham first made the headlines in 2021 when he became the most expensive uncapped Indian player in auction history, going for Rs 9.25 crore. Of course, he had already established himself as a bit of a domestic giant, but his ability to bowl tight off-spin in the powerplay and hit towering sixes all over the park made him a highly sought-after “utility player” in the IPL for over a decade.
