The coronavirus pandemic is going to take down with it some cricketing careers. The IPL was a platform for a few cricketers to claim a return to the national team or claim a last hurrah before bidding adieu to the game.
However, with the IPL set to be cancelled, a few careers are set to be over. Let's take a look at some cricketers, who we may never see in action again.
MS Dhoni
The former Indian skipper was eyeing IPL 2020 as a platform to return to the national side for the 2020 World T20. But with the IPL unlikely to be held, Dhoni’s playing career is all but over.
With Rishabh Pant being first choice in T20Is, Dhoni could perhaps no longer see himself wearing Indian colours again. Besides, it’s unlikely he’ll wait another year for IPL 2021 as the keeper-batsman is aware his time is up.
Harbhajan Singh
The inclusion of Piyush Chawla has had made Bhajji’s chances of playing in the XI for Chennai Super Kings pretty dim in IPL 2020.
And with his international career over, Harbhajan is unlikely to be retained for the next season of IPL. Bhajji is no more the player he was. Besides, CSK could possible relieve a few of their ageing players, including Bhajji, in the next season to welcome the transition.
AB de Villiers
A year could be long enough to make any in-form player rusty. And ABD hardly plays more than two leagues – IPL and South Africa’s Mzansi Super League - in a season.
With ABD not going any younger, it is likely we would have seen the last of ABD in the last season. ABD, just like how he called time on his international career, may retire from all forms of cricket just like that.
Dale Steyn
The speedster at 36 is too prone to injuries that he is not sure if he can last an entire series or a tournament now. He broke down after playing a few games for RCB last season, and he missed the South Africa’s World Cup entirely.
Although he is still available for limited-overs cricket for South Africa, he was also eyeing IPL campaign to make a re-entry into the national squad for World T20 in October. But now, the chances are extremely less as IPL is set to be pushed to next year. And South Africa won’t risk taking another chance on the pacer.
Imran Tahir
Chennai Super Kings are carrying so many veterans in their squad that this IPL season was considered their final goodbye to the gentleman’s game.
Imran Tahir retired from international cricket after last year’s World Cup. He was also eyeing a farewell after IPL 2020. But with age (41 years) catching up, and his skills on the wane, it’s likely we have seen last of the leg-spinner.
Photo courtesy: RCB's FB page
