5 Players who might play their last IPL this year
Every Indian Premier League (IPL) season brings about great joy for the fans. For, it is one of the best T20 leagues in the world and the most exciting. However, the 13th edition of the league will be quite different from all the other editions of the league. It will be played under the shadows of the coronavirus pandemic in the United Arab Emirates. And moreover, there would be no audience at the stadium.
With this possibly being the last IPL season for some of the star IPL players, there is a sense of disappointment that we might not be able to give the right kind of send-off to these cricketers. Here are five players who could be featuring in their last IPL:
5. Amit Mishra
Without any doubt, Amit Mishra is one of the most successful bowlers in the IPL. He is only next to Malinga in the highest wicket-takers list with 157 wickets. Also, Mishra is one of the most under-rated bowlers in the IPL. Until 2013, Amit was at his best. But his graphs took a dip in the last six years. In the last three seasons, he has only picked up 33 wickets in 35 matches. The leggie will turn 38 this November and this could well be his final season.
4. Imran Tahir
The South African leg-spinner runs a sprint after taking a wicket and remains young at heart but time spares no one. By the time next IPL arrives, Tahir will 42 years old. While the leggie is super active in international cricket, it is easier to lose the form at this age. Tahir is an exciting prospect in any T20 tournament he plays, and he will be fondly missed if isn’t playing in the IPL.
3. Shane Watson
Who can ever forget Shane Watson’s epic knock in the IPL 2019 final where he batted despite his bleeding knee. The Australian all-rounder stopped representing his national side four years ago but he has been plying his trade in T20 tournaments all over the world. The lack of match practice will catch up with Watto in some time. He is 39 years old as of now. It’ll be interesting if he can keep going for another year.
2. Dale Steyn
The South African speedster has had to deal with a lot of injuries in recent years. Even in the IPL 2019, the South African was ruled out just after a couple of games. Steyn has always been someone who gives nothing less than his best. Thus, with all the injury woes, one might get a feeling that he may not be a part of the IPL 2021. If he has plans of taking part in the T20 World Cup 2021, he might skip the IPL to prevent any injuries.
1. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle, at one point in time, was the most entertaining opener in the IPL. However, as age has caught up with him, the impact that he creates is no longer the same. He walked into every playing XI a couple of years ago, but the situation has changed. The Jamaican will turn 41 in September and he has not been playing a lot of cricket of late. Only one franchise was interested in him in the last auction and it will be tough for him to continue till IPL 2021.
