30% of Indian Players Could Retire by 2025: What’s Next After Ashwin?
Ashwin, one of India’s best spinners, has retired. This has sparked talks about the future of the Indian Test team. At 38, Ashwin retired from international cricket. This was after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It was at the Gabba. He wanted to make way for the next generation of players. His decision raises questions about the future of senior Indian cricketers. How much longer will they play?
This piece analyzes the Indian XI from the Gabba Test. We evaluate how much time each player has left in their international career.
R Ashwin – 38 Years Old (Retired)
Ashwin ended his international career after taking 537 Test wickets in 106 matches. He is India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, behind Anil Kumble (619). His decision leaves a significant gap in India’s spin department.
Rohit Sharma – 37 Years Old
The Indian Test captain is 37. His performance in Tests has dipped recently. With age catching up, Rohit might retire after the Border-Gavaskar Series. This is especially true if India fails to reach the WTC final.
KL Rahul – 32 Years Old
At 32, KL Rahul still has a few years left in his career if he maintains his form and fitness. Rahul is not as young as the next generation. But, he could play for 4-5 more years at the international level, especially in Tests and ODIs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal – 22 Years Old
At 22, Jaiswal is the youngest in the playing XI. He has secured his spot on the Indian team with consistent performances. He is seen as the future of Indian cricket. He could play for 15 more years, if he stays injury-free and performs.
Shubman Gill – 25 Years Old
At 25, Shubman Gill is entering the prime of his career. He is one of India’s top batters. If he follows a disciplined path like his idol, Virat Kohli, he could dominate world cricket for the next 10-12 years.
Virat Kohli – 36 Years Old
Kohli, the greatest batter of his generation, is now 36. He’s nearing the end of his Test career. He is a key figure in Indian cricket. But, his long-format performances have dipped. Retirement could come as early as 2025, especially if India’s Test fortunes don’t improve.
Rishabh Pant – 27 Years Old
At 27, Rishabh Pant is at his career peak. He is expected to lead Indian cricket for the next 7-8 years. As a consistent performer across all formats, Pant is a cornerstone of India’s future plans.
Nitish Kumar Reddy – 21 Years Old
The newest Indian team member, Nitish Kumar Reddy, made his Test debut in the ongoing series. He is a rising star. At just 21 years old, he could play for the next 15 years, making him a long-term asset for Indian cricket.
Ravindra Jadeja – 36 Years Old
Ashwin’s long-time partner-in-crime, Ravindra Jadeja, is 36. He may retire in 1-2 years. Jadeja is fit and still contributes. He might play one more home season before retiring, possibly in early 2026.
Jasprit Bumrah – 31 Years Old
Fast bowlers typically have shorter careers, and at 31, Bumrah is still at the peak of his powers. Bumrah has a history of injuries and a packed schedule. So, he may need careful workload management to extend his career. He could play through the next WTC cycle and might retire by 2027.
Mohammed Siraj – 30 Years Old
At 30, Siraj is key to India’s bowling attack. But, the demands of international cricket may force him to retire in 4-5 years. Consistency and fitness will be key for him to remain relevant in the long term.
Akash Deep – 28 Years Old
One of India’s newer pace options, Akash Deep, is 28 years old and has plenty of cricket left in him. If he continues to develop his skills and stays fit, he could serve India for at least 5-6 more years.
The Changing Guard
With Ashwin retired and others aging, Indian cricket will shift to a new generation. The future rests on young talents like Jaiswal, Gill, Pant, and Reddy. They are expected to carry India forward in the coming years.
