New Delhi, August 26: Former South African captain Dean Elgar announced on Wednesday that he will retire from all formats of professional cricket at the end of the current 2026 season, marking the conclusion of a remarkable career spanning over two decades.
The 39-year-old Elgar has scored 5,347 runs at an average of 37.92 in 86 Test matches, including 14 centuries. Notably, he played a standout innings of 199 runs against Bangladesh in 2017. Elgar has also captained the South African team in 18 matches.
Elgar cited family needs as the primary reason for his decision to retire, stating, “I believe now is the right time for me. I’m getting older. I’ve turned 39, and there’s a lot happening at home, especially with my young but rapidly growing family. It’s time for me to stay home and spend time with my partner and children. The journey has been fantastic. It’s not over yet, but I will retire at the end of the season. I feel fortunate to have represented my country for 12 years and to have had the responsibility of captaincy—one of the proudest moments of my career.”
In a statement released by Essex, Elgar reflected on his journey, saying, “If you look back at my journey, I don’t think many people expected me to have a career in cricket, let alone one spanning over two decades.”
Having captained South Africa in the Under-19 World Cup in 2006, Elgar played for Essex in the English County Championship after retiring from international cricket. He remarked, “There have been many proud moments during my time. Beating England at Lord’s as captain is certainly one of them. That moment was very special, especially given the way we played and the style we adopted. When I took over as captain, we were ranked seventh in the world, and when I left, we were second. Joining Essex, I felt the pressure of replacing Sir Alastair Cook, but I knew I had to bring my own style of cricket.”
“I have always taken pride in my performance and, of course, I play to win. I never focused solely on my personal performance. Every moment spent on the field with the Essex players, when we achieved victories and succeeded, are wonderful memories of my time at the club. Looking ahead, I would like to take a break from cricket. It has been a long journey. I have been away from home for quite some time. My children are at home, and I feel it’s my responsibility to be there for them and spend time with them. I’m just thinking about the many responsibilities I will have when I get home, but I have truly enjoyed being a father.”
Elgar concluded, “I hope people remember me as a player who played with passion and for victory, who would shake hands with opponents with respect even after a loss. A player who was hardworking and dedicated, willing to endure pain and injury for the team, and would do anything to win.”
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