England vs India 2021: 5 Indian Players Who Might Retire After The Test Series

India is set to take on England for a five-match test series and the first test between these two teams is scheduled to start in a couple of days’ time at Trent Bridge. India will be aiming for redemption in England after losing out the previous away series 4-1 and they have lots of work to be done.

India has been preparing for the series for as many as the last two months in the UK and they will know the importance of the series with the World Test Championship points coming into play. Here are 5 Indian players who might retire after the test series against England.

5 Indian Players Who Might Retire After The Test Series:

Ishant Sharma:

Ishant Sharma has been one of India’s most improved fast bowlers and the tall lad from Delhi has certainly been very impressive in the previous World Test Championship for India. He has been bowling great lines and lengths consistently and hardly has given away loose deliveries.

The main thing to consider about him will be the age factor and he has already shown signs of wearing out. Fast bowling is one of the hardest things in cricket and it can take a toll on the physical fitness of the player. He will be under the scanner in the test series about his fitness and it won’t be a surprise if he opts to retire from the format especially.

Hanuma Vihari:

Hanuma Vihari has been on the sidelines for the most part of his Test career and he was unfortunate to be ruled out in the home series against England due to an injury he suffered in the Australia tests. Vihari has always been rewarded opportunities for his excellent technique.

However, he hasn’t settled into the playing XI and has got the one century so far in 12 tests averaging 32 with the bat. He will have his opportunities in the five tests in the playing XI, and he needs to capitalize on the chances or he could be out of the Indian test squad totally with Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul in the queue.

Wriddhiman Saha:

The veteran wicket-keeper batsman Wriddiman Saha is not the first choice option anymore and he has fallen back in the order with Rishabh Pant looking in fine form. Pant’s improved performances with his keeping and his usual excellent with the bat have made life difficult for Saha.

The 36-year-old has faced injury concerns off late and couldn’t take part in the warm-up game against County Selected XI on identified as close contacts of Covid-positive members. He is unlikely to get a chance in the playing XI in the five tests unless there is an injury to Pant and he might well look to retire after the series.

Amit Mishra:

Amit Mishra still hasn’t retired from any form of international cricket and the 38-year-old last played for India in the red-ball format in 2016. Mishra is one of the biggest turners of the cricket ball as a leg spinner and he has a good googly to outsmart the batsman as well.

Amit Mishra has still been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for Haryana and has been bowling beautifully in the IPL as well. Mishra has picked up 76 wickets in 22 Tests at an average of 35.7 and he is no longer in contention for a spot in the Indian team. He should consider retiring from international cricket after the England series.

Harbhajan Singh:

Harbhajan Singh has played over 100 tests for India and he is one of the all-time best off-spinners in the test format. The Punjab spinner has picked up 417 wickets at an average of 32.5 and he last played a Test for India in 2015. He hasn’t been playing domestic cricket either but hasn’t announced his retirement.

Harbhajan featured in IPL 2021 for the Kolkata Knight Riders and he did not have the rhythm he used to have. The 41-year-old should consider announcing his retirement after the England test series with almost no chances of returning to the Indian side again.