A notable number of cricket legends announced their retirement in the year 2021. Some have pursued careers as cricket experts or in other related activities after retirement, while others have sought careers as coaches. They were all outstanding professional players who had enjoyed great success on both the international and domestic circuits. The top five cricketers who retired from the game in 2021 are featured in this article. Let's take a quick look at their professional achievements.

Five Notable Retired Cricketers in 2021

AB de Villiers of South Africa, Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands, Asghar Afghan of Afghanistan, Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka, and Dale Steyn of South Africa are the top five cricketers who have retired. Take a look at their professional cricket achievements.

AB de Villiers

International Statistics: M: 415 | Runs: 19,864 | HS: 278* | Ave: 48.33 | 100s: 47

First Class Statistics: M: 141 | Runs: 10,689 | HS: 278* | Ave: 49.71 | 100s: 25

Mr. 360 AB de Villiers declared his retirement from all forms of cricket on November 19, 2021. He was widely regarded as the most destructive batter of his generation and was popular with cricket lovers. This gifted South African owns the world record for the fastest 100 and 150 in ODIs. The fans will always remember De Villiers' unusual and devastating striking technique.

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Ryan ten Doeschate

International Statistics: M: 57 | Runs: 2,074 | HS: 119 | Ave: 57.61 | 100s: 5 | Wickets: 68 | BBI: 4/31 | Ave: 23.11 | 5W: 0 

First Class Statistics: M: 203 | Runs: 11,298 | HS: 259* | Ave: 44.30 | 100s: 29 | Wickets: 214 | BBI: 6/20 | Ave: 33.84 | 5W: 7  

South African-born Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has the most runs for the Netherlands national team. He announced his retirement in September of 2021. Post-retirement, Doeschate was named Kent County Cricket Club's batting coach in December 2021. He was a member of the Netherlands squad at a number of ICC events. Ten Doeschate made 119 runs against England in the 2011 World Cup, becoming the first Dutch player to hit an ODI century against an ICC full member. Ryan ten Doeschate is perhaps the best Dutch player of all time.

Asghar Afghan

International Statistics: M: 195 | Runs: 4,246 | HS: 164 | Ave: 24.83 | 100s: 2 

First Class Statistics: M: 29 | Runs: 1,861 | HS: 164 | Ave: 44.30 | 100s: 6 

Asghar Afghan had a decent career for Afghanistan on the international stage. Asghar declared his retirement during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He is one of Afghanistan's leading run-scorers and competed in a number of ICC tournaments.

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Lasith Malinga

International Statistics: M: 340 | Wickets: 546 | BBI: 6/38 | Ave: 28.08 | 5W: 13 

First Class Statistics: M: 84 | Wickets: 257 | BBI: 6/17 | Ave: 30.28 | 5W: 7   

Lasith Malinga was known as "Slinga" for his toe-crushing Yorker delivery. Malinga was perhaps his generation's finest white-ball bowler. He had a thriving cricket career. Malinga led the Sri Lankan national team at one stage in his career, and Sri Lanka won the 2014 T20 World Cup while he was captain. This right-handed medium pacer is the first bowler in international cricket history to take four wickets in four deliveries twice. Lasith Malinga announced his retirement in September 2021. 

Dale Steyn

International Statistics: M: 263 | Wickets: 697 | BBI: 7/51 | Ave: 23.38 | 5W: 29

First Class Statistics: M: 141 | Wickets: 618 | BBI: 8/41 | Ave: 23.57 | 5W: 35    

Dale Steyn announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 31, 2021. He was the most devastating pacer of his generation and one of the all-time great fast-bowlers. Steyn had a remarkable cricket career as a bowler. He did not win any significant trophies with the national team. However, he did help South Africa win a number of international series. Dale Steyn is now South Africa's highest wicket-taker in the Test format.

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Aftermath

Former South African captain AB de Villiers, Proteas pacer Dale Steyn, and Sri Lankan fast-medium bowler Lasith Malinga were among the top cricketers of the previous decade. Their contributions as players will live on in the minds of coming generations. Former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan and the Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, both enjoyed significant success with their respective national teams. Many young cricketers look up to these athletes as role models since they were key figures in their respective teams throughout their playing days.