5 greats who might be playing for the last time in IPL 2020

No matter how great a player one is, there comes a time when one will have to quit. For cricketers, it is never easy to leave a game that they love so much. But as they get older, their bodies do not really cooperate in terms of the reflexes and abilities. As a result, their game tends to deteriorate, and the performances do not remain the same with the passage of time.

It is that time again as some of the legendary players might be gearing up for their swansong in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, their contributions to their respective teams have been immense. But it is time to move on now. In all likelihood, most of these cricketers will not feature in IPL 2021 and the 2020 season may be their last.

Here are five IPL legends who might be playing the league for the last time:

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga is already 36 years old now. The Sri Lankan veteran, who has made a come back into the IPL in 2019, is likely to continue next year as well. But beyond that, he might not be seen anymore. At the most, Lasith will play the T20 World Cup in Australia next year before he bids adieu to the game.

The Galle-born cricketer has had to nurse several injuries in the recent past. Also, his pace has gone down a great extent, something which has reduced the impact in his bowling. Earlier, when he used to hit the 140-mark, his slower balls were highly effective and often outfoxed the batsmen.

But now, with his pace down, Lasith Malinga’s slower balls don’t create the same kind of panic. The Mumbai Indians (MI) would have already begun their hunt for alternatives. Even in the last season, he was quite expensive with the ball.

Chris Gayle

The upcoming season might be the last for another IPL legend, Chris Gayle. The Caribbean cricketer, in the last few years, left his fans with some great memories of the league. Him going unsold and then being picked by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one of the biggest highlights ever.

He completely owned the 2011 and 2012 season with his fabulous hitting. As he is catching up with age, Chris Gayle’s batting exploits aren’t really the same as they were earlier. The last time he was at the IPL auction, he nearly went unsold before the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) came to his rescue.

Gayle, now 40, might get to play another season before he bids adieu to the IPL. Thus far in his career, he has played 125 IPL games and smashed a mind-boggling 326 sixes. The fans would want to see more of those in what could be his final season.

Amit Mishra

While he might not have found a great level of success at the highest level, Amit Mishra is quite a star when it comes to the IPL. The last few seasons might have been a little dull for him, yet, he continues to be an important part of the Delhi Capitals’ plans.

In the last season, Mishy picked up 11 wickets in 11 games and bowled fairly well. The Capitals might give him another go in the next season. But after that, it doesn’t seem likely for him to continue since he is already 36 now and isn’t the best on the field as well.

Amit Mishra is the only bowler who has taken three hat-tricks in the IPL. He is the second-highest wicket-taker ever in the IPL with 157 scalps and is just 13 wickets behind Malinga who is at the top. He would want to add a few more to his tally before he signs off.

MS Dhoni

One of the greatest ever – MS Dhoni – could also be playing his last IPL next year. Since the World Cup 2019 semi-final exit, he hasn’t featured in the India colours till now. The wicket-keeper batsman, even though supremely fit, is catching up with age quickly. In the last two seasons, he has performed exceptionally well for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

He has won three titles with the team thus far and will want to finish on a high. With his international retirement around the corner, it seems unlikely that he will feature in IPL 2021. In the CSK circles, there have already been talks about Suresh Raina taking up the captaincy once MS Dhoni leaves the game.

However, in what could be his last season, he has got an important assignment. Since there are many players above 30 in the CSK set-up, he has got to build a team keeping the future in mind.

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh last represented India back in 2016. At this stage, there doesn’t seem to be any scope that he will make a comeback. The ‘Turbanator’, who is 39 years old now, is yet to bid adieu to the game that he loves so much.

Possibly, IPL 2020 could be the last time one see him on the field before he announces his retirement. Bhajji, who is with the CSK now, hasn’t been a regular feature in the playing XI. Depending on the opposition and the conditions, he was picked in the last couple of seasons.

It could be pretty much the same for the upcoming season as well. Just like MS Dhoni and a few others, he would want to finish on a high. Harbhajan, who hit the 150-wicket mark in the last season, will want a few more to his tally before he hangs his boots.