5 Recently Retired Cricketers Who Still Have The Potential To Play International Cricket

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi is well known for making comebacks multiple times after announcing his retirement. To be fair, the Pakistan team often needed him in the all-rounder’s capacity despite his mercurial returns with the bat, or the on- and off-field controversies he brought.

Even another legendary all-rounder and Pakistan captain, Imran Khan came out of retirement to win his country the 1992 World Cup. The point here is that the team only fared better after some players have dismissed their retirement decision.

Similarly, currently, too, there are players who, if they decide can come out of retirement and are still good enough to play international cricket.

5 Recently Retired Cricketers Who Still Have The Potential To Play International Cricket:

AB de Villiers

The relationship between AB de Villiers and the board deteriorated when the superstar batter made a sudden retirement announcement – not from one format, but from all international cricket – in 2018. He, however, made a request to return just before the 2019 World Cup which was denied.

The speculation of his return took weight recently when de Villiers himself said that he would have talks with coach Mark Boucher. But the final nail was hit when the right-hander decided to stick to his retirement.

There is no question about de Villiers’ form and calibre despite not playing regular cricket – 454 runs in IPL 2020 at a strike rate of 158.74 and 207 runs in the truncated IPL 2021 at 164.29 speaks volumes about his elite quality. With South Africa now struggling even at home to win matches, they could only do better with de Villiers back in the side.

Mohammad Amir

While it was a shock when Mohammad Amir bid adieu to international cricket last December, aged just 28, it wasn’t any surprise that another Pakistan player has cited issues with the coaching staff and the management. Amir even went on to say that he was “mentally tortured” by the Misbah-ul-Haq-led management.

With the T20 World Cup just a few months away, and Amir being a proven asset over the years – the pacer bowled one of the most lethal new-ball spells in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India – it wouldn’t be another surprise if he scraps his retirement. The seamer has said that he would be open to making a rebound, however, not under the current management.

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla is one of the finest classical batsman. He remained a subdued legend of the game; at times Amla even gave Virat Kohli a run at his record-breaking spree in both Tests and ODIs.

The right-hander, after scoring over 18,000 runs, retired from international cricket in 2019. However, South Africa hasn’t been able to fill the gaps left by Amla and De Villiers. Though youngsters have shown promise, it remains a herculean task to replace the giants of the game.

But another way to fill the gap of Amla could be to actually recall Amla! He is in brilliant form in County cricket, having scored 577 runs in 8 matches at 57.70, including an unbeaten 215. With South Africa struggling on several fronts, Amla could just be the serene presence they need in the team.

Thisara Perera

At 32 years old, it will always seem like Thisara Perera made an early retirement for a proven international cricketer when he did in it May this year. By his performances, surely.

Weeks before retiring from the international arena, Perera churned out several half-centuries in Sri Lanka’s domestic List-A tournament and fared decently on their last tour to the West Indies.

A proper all-rounder, Perera scored over 3000 runs in white-ball cricket for Sri Lanka and picked more than 200 wickets. With the Lankan team playing disappointingly for a long time, Perera can easily slot back in the line-up if he wished to make a comeback.

Alastair Cook

England struggled to find a replacement for Andrew Strauss after he retired and Alastair Cook saw a frequent change in his opening partners. Now their problems have exacerbated with Cook hanging his boots in 2018; he notched up a century in his last Test, against India.

3 years on, England have still rotated openers and tried a number of different combinations. Meanwhile, Cook, aged 36 currently, continues to pile up runs in County Championship. In his last 9 first-class games, he has recorded two hundreds, surrounded by half-centuries.

With the Three Lions still grappling for an opener to fix down the position, Cook remains a viable option, if he wishes to don the Test jersey again.

Also Read: Rashid Khan Reveals Why He Declined To Lead Afghanistan In T20Is