6 Current Indian Cricketers Who Should Announce Retirement From One Format Of The Game

The next few months remains a crucial phase for the Indian team as they not only eye overseas success but also hope to maintain their home dominance. But the Indian cricket team is in a good place with their skills and depth as they have plenty of specialist players for all the formats. As a result, there is increased competition for places and players must prove their worth in limited opportunities.

Hence, the players who might have once performed admirably well no longer command that sort of authority in the team. With the management having plenty of options to choose from, it looks unlikely for them to lean on those cricketers who might have gone beyond their best. Thus, it serves best for them to quit that particular format and invest everything into the other.

We take a look at six Current Indian Cricketers Who Should Announce Retirement From One or two Formats Of The Game:

Ravichandran Ashwin – ODIs and T20Is:

After Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent Test performances and his encouraging outings in IPL, there were talks of his inclusion in India’s white-ball squads. But captain Virat Kohli shut that possibility, citing they have Washington Sundar in limited-overs cricket, having shown mettle with both bat and ball.

Ravichandran Ashwin has not played for India in One-day international cricket even though he has expressed his wish to do so and confident of doing well. However, as a highly-skilled bowler with the white ball, taking 150 ODI and 52 T20I wickets at 32.91 and 22.94, respectively, the 34-year old is still unlikely to play the version again. Hence, it could be time that he quits it.

Shikhar Dhawan – Tests:

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan started his Test career brilliantly by scoring 187 on debut against Australia back in 2013 at Mohali. Even though after 34 Tests, Shikhar Dhawan’s record is healthy, the 35-year old will most likely not don the whites for India again. The southpaw has 2315 Test runs at 40.61 with seven centuries; however, he has struggled against the moving ball.

With youngsters like Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal proving their mettle in red-ball cricket, the selectors could leave Dhawan to concentrate his time in the limited-overs format itself. Dhawan is an integral part of India’s white-ball team and has been highly consistent, mainly in the ICC events. Hence, at 35, he should announce his retirement from Test cricket.

Cheteshwar Pujara – ODIs :

India’s number three in Test cricket Cheteshwar Pujara has been highly significant to their dominance in the longest format. Cheteshwar Pujara made his debut in 2010 and, after Rahul Dravid‘s retirement in 2012, became India’s number three in Tests and fulfilled the responsibilities exceptionally well. However, it is unlikely to see the right-handed batsman return to India’s white-ball team.’

It is pertinent to note that Cheteshwar Pujara has featured in five ODIs between 2013 and 2014. The 33-year old managed only 51 runs at 10.2. Having defensive gameplay with an inability to hit boundaries at will, Pujara’s game is outdated and is highly contrary to the current standards of the format. With plenty of cricketers already lined up to play in the limited-overs version, Pujara no longer has a hope to slot back in the side.

Ajinkya Rahane – ODIs and T20Is:

Ajinkya Rahane has been unfortunate to stay out of the limited-overs side since 2018 despite having an excellent record in ODIs. Ajinkya Rahane last played an ODI back in 2018 against South Africa when India toured the rainbow nation. While the 33-year old averages a healthy 35.26 in the format, his strike rate of 78.63 is slightly lower.

While Ajinkya Rahane is an indispensable member of the Test team, there likely remains no place for him in ODIs. The right-handed batsman’s numbers in T20s are not hugely encouraging either, or has played well in the IPL to force a recall. With several promising cricketers already in the wings, it could be time that Rahane retires from white-ball internationals.

Ishant Sharma – ODIs and T20Is:

Ishant Sharma is one of the integral members of the Test side and is the spearhead of the bowling attack. Ishant Sharma, who debuted back in 2006, has become one of the most improved bowlers with years of hard work and determination. But the 32-year old has not been able to dominate the white-ball format as much.

Ishant Sharma, who has played 80 ODIs and 14 T20Is, has been inconsistent in the format and has leaked runs during his death overs. Hence, the right-arm seamer faced an axe from the format and was asked to stick to red-ball cricket only. Though Ishant has delivered in patches in IPL, he is unlikely to earn a recall to India’s white-ball side.

Wriddhiman Saha – ODIs:

Veteran keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has always been a silent performer and is mostly selected in the Test side due to his superior keeping skills. Nevertheless, he has got an okay record with the bat in Tests as well, scoring 1251 runs in 38 Tests with three centuries. While the 36-year old might have fallen out of favour in Tests due to Rishabh Pant’s rise, Saha is still useful due to his experience.

But the right-handed batsman will likely never play ODI cricket again. Saha debuted in One-day international cricket back in 2010 and played nine of them till 2014. The veteran managed only 41 runs at 13.66 and could never play another due to MS Dhoni’s presence. At present, with Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan in the side, Saha’s chances of returning are as good as done.

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