They have served their countries and have become very popular faces. Some have become legends; some are on the threshold of achieving that status. The world has witnessed and savoured with bated breaths their on-field and at times even off-field exploits. But then there can be no doubt that they have enriched the world of cricket by the sheer dint of their performances, they are men who have given the game a new face. However, even then, the greatest of the greatest have to bid adieu at one time or the other. One can’t be totally sure when these superstars will finally quit playing competitive cricket, but keeping their age in mind the upcoming ICC World Cup will certainly be their last as far as this tournament is considered. Orissa POST takes a look at some of these cricketers who will in all probability be playing their last World Cup.
Imran Tahir (South Africa, 40): Yes one can be certain that this will be the leg-spinners last World Cup. When the next World Cup will come around Tahir will be 44 and certainly not in a position to play. The Pakistani who came to South Africa and settled there to be with the love of his life, made his ODI debut against the West Indies during the 2011 World Cup. More than his wickets (he has taken plenty though), the bearded cricketer will be fondly remembered for his celebrations after every success. Cricket will certainly miss Tahir. He showed he is in prime form by picking up 26 wickets – the most by any bowler in the recently-concluded edition of the tournament.
M-98 W-162 BB-7/45 Ecn-4.62 SR-31.3
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India, 37): Yes, this will certainly be the last World Cup as far as the ‘finisher’ is concerned. MSD has always been guarded as far as his decisions to quit the various formats of the game have been concerned. But then one certainly doesn’t see him donning the gloves both in front and back of the wickets in the next World Cup. He will be a little over 41 then and may be more comfortable with the mike. Dhoni made his ODI debut in 2004 against Bangladesh in Chittagong and led India to World Cup glory in 2011… who can forget that epic unbeaten 91 in the final against Sri Lanka.
Batting
M-341 R-10,500 HS-183 100s-10 50s-71 SR-87.55
Wicket-keeping
M-341 Caught-314 Stumped-320
Chris Gayle (West Indies, 39): At a little over 39, one doesn’t see the ‘Universal Boss’ (yes that’s what Gayle calls himself) carrying on till the next WC four years on. The quintessential crowd puller, Gayle will certainly want to bid adieu to the World Cup stage in grand style. The West Indian holds the record of scoring the fastest double hundred in ODIs. On his day he is any bowler’s nightmare and pulverises opposition attacks into submission as he scathes through them with his swishing blade.
M-289 R-10,151 HS215 100s-25 50s-51 SR-87.14 W-165
Shoaib Malik (Pakistan, 37): Sania Mirza’s husband has served the national side to the best of his abilities. Someone who came in to the side way back in 1999, Shoaib has really proved his longevity. He came into the national side as a bowler, but became a batsman when he was called for chucking. Had there been more India-Pakistan games, Shoaib’s name would have been spoken about on a more consistent basis in the sub-continent. But he is someone to watch out for and he has already said that the upcoming World Cup will be his last, even though he may continue to play in the T20 format. A team man and an all-rounder of pure quality
M-282 R-7,481 HS-143 100s-9 50s-44 SR-81.75 W-156
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka, 35): His battered body troubling him a lot these days ‘Slinga Linga’, as the fast bowler is popularly known that he is ready to bid adieu to all formats of the game after the World Cup. Malinga’s unique action makes him a bowler of unique quality and his ability to vary his pace makes him a very potent weapon for the Sri Lankans. Even though, not at his best, Malinga showed his class in the final of the 2019 IPL. With only eight runs to defend, Malinga kept his calm in the 20th over to see his side Mumbai Indians win the game by one run.
M-218 W-322 BB-6/38 Ecn-5.33 SR-32.6
*M-matches; R-runs; HS-Highest Score; SR-Strike rate; W-Wickets; Ecn-Economy. Strike rate for bowlers is the number of deliveries they need to take for each wicket.