The year 2025 brought unforgettable thrill and excitement for cricket lovers around the world, but it also witnessed the heartbreaking loss of several iconic figures from the game. These legends not only shaped cricket with their performances but also inspired generations with their dedication and passion. As the year comes to a close, let us remember the great personalities the cricketing world lost in 2025.

Padmakar Shivalkar: A Giant of Indian Domestic Cricket

Indian cricket suffered a major loss in March 2025 with the passing of legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar. He passed away on March 3 at the age of 88. Although Shivalkar never got the chance to represent India at the international level, his dominance in domestic cricket remains unmatched. He took an incredible 636 wickets in first-class cricket, making him one of the most successful spinners in Indian cricket history.

In recognition of his lifelong contribution to the game, the BCCI had honored him with the prestigious C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tragic On-Field Death of Junaid Zafar Khan

March also saw a tragic incident in Australia when Pakistani-origin cricketer Junaid Zafar Khan collapsed and died during a club match on March 18. He was playing for the Old Concordians Cricket Club when extreme heat took a deadly toll on him. Junaid had already fielded for nearly 40 overs and later came out to bat, but collapsed on the field and could not be saved. He was over 40 years of age. The incident once again raised serious concerns about player safety in extreme weather conditions.

Bob Cowper: Australia’s Triple Centurion No More

In May, Australian cricket mourned the death of former Test batsman Bob Cowper, who passed away at the age of 84. Cowper played 27 Tests for Australia during the 1960s and is best remembered for his historic 307-run knock in the 1968 Ashes series. Fondly known as “Wallaby,” Cowper had an unusual career path as he retired from international cricket at just 28 to focus on business. He later led Victoria to a Sheffield Shield title in 1970 before fully shifting his focus away from cricket.

Dilip Doshi: India’s Late-Blooming Spin Great

Indian cricket lost one of its finest spinners in June when Dilip Doshi passed away in London at the age of 77. A late entrant to international cricket, Doshi went on to play 33 Tests and 15 ODIs for India, claiming 114 Test wickets. He was a giant of domestic cricket, representing Saurashtra and Bengal in India, and also played county cricket for Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire in England. His consistency, discipline, and classical spin bowling left a lasting legacy.

Ben Austin’s Shocking Practice-Session Tragedy

On October 28, Australian cricket was again shaken by tragedy when young cricketer Ben Austin lost his life after being struck by a ball during a practice session. The heartbreaking incident reignited global debate about safety equipment and protective measures in cricket training environments.

Robin Smith: England’s Brave Batting Warrior

In December, former England batsman Robin Smith passed away at the age of 62. The news surfaced on December 2. Born in South Africa, Smith became one of England’s most reliable batsmen during the late 1980s and 1990s. He earned immense respect for fearlessly facing the legendary West Indies pace attack led by Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Malcolm Marshall, and Patrick Patterson.

One of the most memorable moments of his career was his unbeaten 167 against Australia in the 1993 Edgbaston ODI, which remains etched in cricket history.

A Year of Painful Goodbyes

The year 2025 will be remembered not only for exciting cricketing moments but also for the painful loss of legends who shaped the game across different eras and nations. Their contributions, records, and fighting spirit will forever remain a part of cricket’s glorious heritage.