Cricket World Cup 2015: Greats Parked in the Exit Queue
The World Cup 2015 will be the swansong for a few cricket legends. What better stage could there be to bring the curtain down on their glittering careers?
The 11th edition of the Cricket World Cup will see several greats of the game bid goodbyes to the tournament. Some may never play international cricket again, while for others it is unlikely that they will play another World Cup. Here is a look at the players who have formally announced their retirements once the tournament ends and some for whom the probability of being around in 2019 is virtually nil:(World Cup 2015: Full Coverage)
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1. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): The man who holds the dubious distinction of scoring a ton in vain in a World Cup final, will be hanging up his boots after World Cup 2015. Jayawardene, 37, has played four World Cups so far and finished as a runner-up twice. In his final fling, the stylish Lankan batsman will be looking to get his hands on the silverware that has eluded him for the last 18 years. Branded as a flat-track bully by many of his critics, this is his chance to prove that he can come to the party no matter what the conditions. Jayawardene was not part of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 World Cup. If the Lankans can win the Cup, it will be the perfect farewell to one of Sri Lanka's greatest cricketers.(Youngsters Set to Light up 2015 World Cup)
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2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): Since his debut in 2000, Sangakkara has always displayed a fine skill of batsmanship. With almost 400 ODI caps under his belt, the 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is more than eager to go in a blaze of glory at the 2015 World Cup. This is his fourth World Cup and he will be looking to make sure Sri Lanka get third time lucky. Sangakkara was the skipper when they lost the final to India in 2011. An agile keeper, a fluent batsman, Sangakkara is capable of building an innings and will be the fulcrum of Sri Lanka's batting once the tournament gets under way. Cricket lovers will miss his delightful flicks and drives as for sheer style, he is almost second to none.(A Tale of Captains)
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3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): The most maverick player to grace the field, Afridi is one character who will be certainly be missed. The all-rounder announced that he will quit ODIs after the World Cup. An explosive batsman, an effective bowler and an above average fielder, Afridi's aim is to recreate the magic of 1992 when Pakistan won their first crown Down Under. With nearly 400 ODI wickets almost 8,000 runs to his credit, there is no doubt Afridi has the experience to back him up. It is his fifth World Cup, the 34-year-old will be itching to win it at the final go. After all, Afridi knows what it is to lose in a final -- he was part of Pakistan's team which lost the 1999 summit clash to Australia.(The Stars Who Could be Playing Their Last World Cup)
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4. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan): At 40, he is clearly no spring chicken. Misbah knows that this is his only chance to get a winning medal. He came close in 2011, but Pakistan lost to India in the semis. Misbah will be leading a depleted Pakistan unit in only his second World Cup. He has been branded a slow scorer, but only last year he broke the record for the fastest Test 50 and equalled that of the fastest ton. Misbah is one of the players in the Pakistan side who will be more suited to the conditions and if he performs, the rest of the team can bat around him. Misbah has the chance to sign off on a high, and there is no doubt that is exactly what he wants to do.
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5. MS Dhoni (India): The man who led India to World Cup glory in 2011, MS Dhoni may well be playing his last edition. While Dhoni has not officially announced that he will quit international cricket, it is unlikely that he will be around in 2019. The Team India skipper turns 34 this year and has already retired from the Test format. With Virat Kohli waiting in the wings to take command of the team, Dhoni may well be playing his last major tournament for the Men in Blue. Can he lead India to the title once more? While form, luck and performance have not been on his side in recent times, there is no doubt about this wicketkeeper batsman's ability. Indian fans will be praying that he leads by example and takes his team to its third crown.
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6. Michael Clarke (Australia): The Aussie captain has stated that he wants to play the 2019 edition, but his back and hamstring problems have always hit him at the wrong times. With Steven Smith looking good to take over, Clarke will have to weigh his options once the 2015 World cup is over. The 33-year-old has experienced the joy to be a world champion when Australia lifted the 2007 World Cup. As a batsman, he is most dangerous in the middle of the innings and has been known to hurt the opposition badly with game-changing knocks. As a captain, Clarke is known to lead by example and that has earned the respect of his mates. With home advantage on his side, Clarke has a good chance of leading his team to the title. He certainly has the team to win.
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7. Chris Gayle (West Indies): The burly opener turns 36 this year and will be taking part in his fourth World Cup. The chances of Gayle playing on till 2019 are remote and this may be the Jamaican's final chance to do something meaningful for West Indies in the ODI format. While his reputation as T20 player has preceded him, people do forget that he has a good Test and ODI record. He was part of the team that won the 2012 World T20, and this is an opportunity to win the 50-over version. West Indies have not won a World Cup since 1979 and the wait has been too long. Can Gayle, is his final countdown, take West Indies past the finish line?
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8. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand): The elder statesman of New Zealand cricket, Daniel Vettori could well be playing his last World Cup. Vettori turned 36 in January and this is his fifth World Cup. In what possibly is his last hurrah, can Vettori take New Zealand past the semis for the first time. In six out of 10 editions the Kiwis have made it to the last-four only to falter. Known to be a wily customer with the ball and a good finisher with the bat, Vettori will be a vital cog in the scheme of things as the tournament progresses.