5 Cricketers Who Might Announce Their Retirement Following The Decision To Postpone The 2020 T20 World Cup

The ICC took a significant decision last week regarding the 2020 World T20 slated to take place in Australia later this year. As much as the fans have expressed their sadness towards it, the same could apply to certain cricketers. But the COVID-19 pandemic left very little room for the tournament to proceed without the logistical challenges of hosting 16 teams. Instead, it has scheduled back to back competitions in 2021 and 2022.

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Coming to the cricketers’ predicament, a handful of players’ might have spoiled due to the postponement of the tournament. It is for those players, who are at the twilight of their careers and wanted to retire after partaking in the competition. With the ICC deferring it by one more year, their minds and bodies might not cope up too.

We take a look at five cricketers who might hang up their boots following the postponement of the T20 World Cup:

Chris Gayle:

Chris Gayle was part of the West Indies’ victorious campaigns in 2012 and 2016. Chris Gayle is one of those few batsmen who are tailormade for T20 cricket and is responsible for giving powerful yet effortless starts to his sides. So far, he has 1627 runs in 58 fixtures at 142.84 with two centuries.

While arguably the Jamaican would make it to any T20 line-up, it is hard to admit that Gayle is no longer peak of his powers. At 40, the Jamaican might have found a berth in West Indies’ T20 squad this year and fulfilled his dream of leading the Caribbeans to the title for the third time. However, with the tournament postponed to next year, the southpaw’s international future remains doubtful.

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Imran Tahir:

Imran Tahir made his international debut for South Africa in his early 30s but has made his chances count. At age 37, Imran Tahir reached the top of ODI and T20I bowlers rankings, defying the belief that age is integral to success in international cricket. His passion is evident, especially with the way he celebrates his wickets.

After the 2019 World Cup, the leggie quit ODI cricket after 107 games and 173 wickets at 24.84. However, he declared his intention to keep playing T20s for the Proteas. At 41, the fire to keep representing South Africa and the T20I record speaks for itself; it remains doubtful if age can support him. Tahir could call it a day before the 2021 edition of the World Cup.

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Dale Steyn:

Dale Steyn would easily make it to any eleven regardless of the format. With a unique ability to generate swing, speed, and accuracy, Dale Steyn proved as a nightmare for plenty of batsmen and undeniably the best fast bowler of this generation. Like any other fast bowler, Steyn has experienced several issues with his body too, specifically his back and knee. The veteran played in the Big Bash League this year to prepare himself for the T20 World Cup down under later this year and quit Test cricket in 2019.

It was not until the COVID-19 exploded that all the plans smoked in the dust. While 64 wickets in 47 games at 18.35 is none less than a formidable record, the 37-year old’s significant problem is whether he can last an entire tournament or even four overs while being consistent. The speedster will turn 38 by the time the next T20 World Cup gets underway. Hence, it remains highly unlikely that Steyn would make himself available.

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Lasith Malinga:

Lasith Malinga has been one of the few cricketers in Sri Lanka, who has kept the national team competitive amid their recent decline. The retirements of greats like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan have arrived as a major blow to them, weakening their side significantly. However, players like Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, and Kusal Perera have taken the mantle of keeping Sri Lanka afloat.

Malinga has enjoyed tremendous success in T20 international cricket and is the highest wicket-taker in the format with 107. His fast and inswing yorkers with the new ball and in death overs left many batsmen without answers. However, in his last seven matches, the lanky bowler has only three wickets. With his potency reducing due to injuries, it is very likely he might not partake in the next T20 World Cup. The T20 skipper already declared a few months back he would not mind retiring after the tournament in Australia.

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MS Dhoni:

At the top of the list, it bears no surprises to have the former Indian captain, MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni’s final game for India predicted to have transpired as he made a long walk to the pavilion following his run-out in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Having not played any game since then and maintaining silence about his future, the predictions only seemed to come true.

But the keeper-batsman made himself available to play in the 13th season of the IPL, keeping an eye to book a spot in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. With both the tournaments postponed now, the 39-year old’s international future does not look promising. Several reputed teammates of MS Dhoni have already said he would most likely not play for India again.

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