5 Players who might be playing their last World Cup in 2023
The names that stand out among them are Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes.
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Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma (Images via ESPNcricinfo)
The hardest part for cricket watchers during a World Cup is to see a team without those players who have given them so many memorable moments to cherish. In all possibilities, some of the world-class players will bid adieu to the game after the 2023 ODI World Cup, or let’s just say, they are playing their last World Cup.
Fans and experts have started predicting which players will walk onto the field for the last time in the World Cup. The names that stand out among them are Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Jos Buttler, and Ben Stokes.
These are just some of the names who are likely to appear in their last World Cup. The list also includes Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, New Zealand’s Trent Boult, and Australia’s Steve Smith. The cricket fraternity will be emotional, thinking that these players are playing their last ODI World Cup.
Players likely to appear in their last World Cup:
| S. No. | Player | Country |
| 1. | Virat Kohli | India |
| 2. | Rohit Sharma | India |
| 3. | David Warner | Australia |
| 4. | Steve Smith | Australia |
| 5. | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh |
| 6. | Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh |
| 7. | Jos Buttler | England |
| 8. | Ben Stokes | England |
| 9. | Kane Williamson | New Zealand |
| 10. | Trent Boult | New Zealand |
| 11. | Joe Root | England |
Related: Top 5 Cricketers That IPL Gave To India
5 Players who might be playing their last World Cup in 2023
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is an easy guess. The 32-year-old had already hung up his boots in ODI cricket due to a crammed-up schedule but as the 2023 World Cup approached, he decided to take the U-turn. He is known for his clutch innings in important tournaments as in the 2019 ODI World Cup, his heroics guided England to their first-ever World Cup victory.
However, though he reversed his ODI retirement decision, one can foresee that the English Test skipper may bid farewell to ODI cricket again and may not appear in the 50-over World Cup in 2027. Not just him, even England’s white-ball skipper and 33-year-old Jos Buttler, in all possibilities, will be playing his last World Cup in 2023.
Kane Williamson
The New Zealand skipper has one of the sharpest cricketing brains. His calm demeanor on the field and the ability to soak the pressure and accept the situation have done wonders for the Kiwis. Under him, New Zealand were on the brink of their historic World Cup win in 2019 but unfortunately, the boundary count rule awarded the runs to England.
Williamson, 33, will turn 37 in 2027. Fitness issues and batting consistency will be the major criteria for his selection. In white-ball cricket in recent times, Williamson is not enjoying a good form.
David Warner
Already a World Cup champion, David Warner will be a major miss in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Without any doubt, the 36-year-old will be playing his last World Cup in 2023.
Warner has established himself as one of the most dangerous openers of modern-day cricket. But at present, his form has slumped a lot and he is finding it tough to make his bat talk. He scores a decent innings once in a blue moon now.
Rohit Sharma
From missing the 2011 World Cup to becoming the highest run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup and then leading the Men in Blue to the 2023 World Cup, Rohit has seen it all. The Hitman was the highest run-scorer in the 2019 ODI World Cup with 648 runs from nine matches, where he also blasted a whopping five centuries, and a half-century, with the highest score of 140.
And in 2023, he will be entering the tournament with extra pressure on his shoulders- the pressure of captaincy and playing in India. It will be interesting to see if he and other members fill the trophy cabinet of India with another title.
Virat Kohli
Former India captain Virat Kohli will turn 38 in 2027. But his fitness may help him play another World Cup. At the same time, selection is not solely based on fitness; selectors will see his batting form also.
Kohli already lifted a World Cup in 2011 and the 2023 tournament will be his fourth appearance. He led the side in the 2019 edition but India’s advance to the final was stopped by New Zealand in the semifinal.
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Gouri Das
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