As the cricketing world turned its collective gaze towards him ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 The landscape of the shortest format in India and Sri Lanka looks quite different. 2025 served as a definitive ‘end of an era’, with several modern-day greats opting to hang up their boots in the T20 International format to make way for the next generation.
While the loss of these stalwarts has left a void in their national side, their departure has cleared the stage for a new, fearless breed of cricketers ready to chase global glory.
Iconic stars retiring before T20 World Cup 2026
1) Mitchell Starc: The end of the express era
It was perhaps the most significant blow to Australia’s bowling attack Mitchell StarcHe decided to retire from T20Is in September 2025. The left-arm speedster, known for his toe-crushing yorkers and early breakthroughs, has decided to prioritize Test cricket and the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Starc leaves behind a legacy of being one of the most feared white-ball players in history. Its absence from the 2026 World Cup means Australia will enter the tournament for the first time in more than a decade without a key ‘X-factor’ with a new ball.
2) Nicholas Pooran: A shock performance for the West Indies star
In one of the most surprising announcements of the year, Nicholas Pooran He retired from all international cricket in June 2025. At just 29, West Indies’ T20I runs and wickets record holder has decided to focus on the global franchise circuit.
Losing a middle-order powerhouse of Pooran’s caliber just months before a major tournament is a huge setback for the Caribbean side. He was the bridge between the ‘old guard’ of Gayle and Pollard and the rising stars; now windies need to find a new anchor for explosive batting.
Also READ: Rohit Sharma predicts T20 World Cup 2026 finalist
3) Heinrich Klaasen: South Africa’s finalist bows out
South Africa’s middle-order superstar Heinrich Klaasen also retired from international career in June 2025. Over the past few seasons, Klaasen has become arguably the most devastating batsman against spin in the world.
His retirement marks a significant change for the Proteas, who relied heavily on his ability to accelerate at the death. As South Africa prepares for the 2026 event, the pressure is now on young talents like Tristan Stubbs to fill the ‘finishing’ void left by Klaasen.
T20I performance summary
| Player | Matches | Runaways/Runaways | BBI/Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 65 | 79 Doors | 4/20 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 106 | 2275 runs | 98 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 58 | 1000 runs | 81 |
Also READ: Jacques Kallis explains why South Africa have a real chance of winning the 2026 T20 World Cup
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