Playing and winning the Cricket World Cup is an epitome of success for anyone who loves the game of cricket. It is an ultimate goal of any cricketer, whether an under-19 teenager or a player as big as Sachin Tendulkar. That’s the aim even of aging professionals who are on the verge of retirement. To play the world cup one last time.
This blog is dedicated to those legends who will play their last world cup at 2019 ICC cricket world cup. These are the gems who’ve contributed immensely to the game of cricket as well as their country. Either it’s a luck or anything else but there’s a strong playing XI to be retired after the world cup, which has been listed below.
1. Chris Gayle – West Indies – 39 Years
The Universe boss as he likes to call himself, Christopher Henry Gayle has already announced his retirement after the world cup. The ODI double-centurion will play last few matches in the maroon jersey. With 10,151 runs in ODI and 18,992 runs in international cricket, muscular man will be missed for his ability to clear any ground at will.
2. Hashmi Amla – South Africa – 36 Years
There are very few batsmen in the world with technique as perfect as of Hashmi Amla. Renowned for his consistency – fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs – Amla has multiple shots for the same ball in his armory. Though struggling to score runs in recent times, he can win a match on his day. The 36-years-old will look to give his all in the 2019 ICC cricket world cup for one last time.
3. Faf du Plessis – South Africa – 34 Years
A perfect top order batsman for any team in the world, Proteas all format captain will play his last world cup in the upcoming marquee event. The 34-year-old has a penchant to play big knocks in big matches. He has been captaining South African side with a lot of success. A classmate of already retired AB de Villiers will look to win the world cup for South Africa one last time.
4. Ross Taylor – New Zealand – 35 Years
The highest ODI century maker – 20 centuries – for New Zealand, Ross Taylor is considered to be the greatest player for New Zealand. Rosco, as his mates call him, is master in playing long innings at No. 4. With more than 8026 ODI runs for New Zeland, Rosco will be hard to be replaced. New Zealand – just like South Africa – is a potential team who has never won a world cup. Ross Taylor will look to set the record straight in 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
5. MS Dhoni – India – 38 Years
World cricket has hardly seen a finisher as good as Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Renown for his calm nature and master chaser, Dhoni has already won a world cup – of course by scoring a winning six – as a captain for India. The wicketkeeper of the highest skills, Dhoni will play a pivotal role in India’s bid to win a world cup for the third time. At 38 years, ICC cricket world cup 2019 is going to be the last showpiece event for Mahi.
6. JP Duminy – South Africa – 35 Years
A protea who can turn matches on his head on his day has provided perfect batting allrounder option all his career. However, he is losing his mojo in the twilight of his career. ICC cricket world cup would definitely be his final one.
7. Shakib-al-Hasan – Bangladesh – 32 Years
Bangladesh’s most capped player and former world#1 allrounder, Shakib-al-Hasan may not see another world cup due to injuries he has faced in the recent past. A career already spanning 13 years, Southpaw’s skills have taken a lot of toll on his body. A coveted trophy missing from his impressive CV, he would love to win the upcoming world cup.
8. Mashrafe Mortaza – Bangladesh – 35 Years
The first Bangladeshi player to play 200 ODIs and captaining the national side for 70 ODIs, Mortaza has been their regular opening bowler. The injuries have constantly plagued his career, especially the weak knees in recent past. Due to this, he has already started looking beyond the cricket career and recently won a parliamentary seat in Narail constituency in December 2018. Cricket world may not be surprised if he announces his retirement immediately after 2019 ICC cricket world cup.
9. Dale Steyn – South Africa – 35 Years
A Protea veteran of 196 ODI wickets and one of the best swing bowler cricket has ever produced, Dale Steyn may not look even beyond 2019 to expand his career. Already struggling with elbow and back injuries, Steyn could not compete in more than two matches in the recently concluded IPL. As a dream of every cricketer, he will look to win the 2019 ICC cricket world cup at least once for Proteas.
10. Imran Tahir – South Africa – 40 Years
The sprint runner and top wicket-taker of IPL 2019 – 26 wickets – Imran Tahir has already touched 40. A successful leg spinner – one odd for South Africa – Imran Tahir will be playing his 100th ODI for South Africa in the 2019 ICC cricket world cup, and may join the band of retiring South African stars.
11. Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka – 35 Years
The slinga Malinga is yet another pace bowler struggling with injuries in recent past, which kept him out of cricket for longer durations. However, he has recovered well to play through the IPL and Sri Lanka’s domestic One Day tournament, he will be a vital cog of Sri Lankan team contesting in 2019 ICC world cup. The consistent injury to his body means he may not look beyond even the upcoming world cup to play international cricket.
12th man: Dinesh Kartik (India) – 35 Years
An in and out candidate for TeamIndia, Dinesh Kartik has shown a glimpse of his best in the twilight of his career. He single-handedly finished the Nidahas trophy final for India and emerged as a strong finisher for the team. Though he may not play a single match in ICC world cup 2019, returning for 2023 world cup is definitely not on the cards for him.
The above XI is probably a most balanced side any team would want to have. The team consists of such legends would be a hot favorite to win the world cup.
