IPL 2021: 5 players who might play in the IPL for the last time this season
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unearthed some of the most talented youngsters in world cricket and has also given aging cricketers an opportunity to play competitive cricket even after international retirement. The season in 2021 will be the 14th edition of the annual tournament and this year, the tournament is set to be played in India unlike in 2020 when it had to be shifted to the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched the title last year beating Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final. They were considered overwhelming favourites right from the very beginning and they lived up to expectations by easing to their record 5th title. They would once again be considered the favourites when the tournament begins in April. Before the same, the auction is set to be held on February 18 in Chennai where plenty of youngsters as well as aging players will be looking for a chance to be picked by franchises.
Ahead of the auction as well as the tournament, we take a look at 5 players who are a part of IPL franchises at the moment but could play their last season this year.
Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra is a veteran of the IPL who is the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament’s history. The leggie also has the distinction of being the only player to have picked 3 hattricks in the IPL. He is currently a part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise where he hasn’t been able to get a lot of match-time. He appeared in only 3 matches last season when Ravichandran Ashwin was injured.
With Axar Patel being the other spinner, the chances of Mishra becoming a regular in the playing XI looks slim. Further, at 38 years of age, it looks like the spinner’s best years could be behind him which might make him decide to stop playing after the upcoming season.
Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir is one of the most fascinating figures in cricket, known for his enthusiasm for the game and age-defying feats. The South African leggie has a whopping 80 wickets from just 58 matches to his name. He was a key figure for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in 2018 and 2019 but could get only 3 games in 2020 due to issues with team combination and the 4 overseas players for the franchise.
At 41 years old, it does seem likely that Tahir might decide that the upcoming season would be his last.
Dwayne Bravo
One of the best T20 players of all time, Dwayne Bravo hasn’t been able to live up to the high standards he has set for himself, in the last 2-3 years. His bowling hasn’t been as effective as it was when he would pick up wickets at will and his batting seldom produces the fireworks it once used to produce. Even in the field, the West Indian hasn’t been able to put his best foot forward.
A plethora of injury problems have also often ruled him out of contention for a spot in the playing XI of his franchise Chennai Super Kings. It thus seems likely that Bravo might not be picked in the IPL after the upcoming season.
Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa is yet another veteran of the IPL who has consistently produced the goods for teams he has played for. However, over the course of the last few years, his form has been on the wane and good performances have been few and far in between. In the previous season, he wasn’t able to come good for Rajasthan Royals (RR) despite being tried out in different positions in the batting order.
Uthappa has now been acquired by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on an all-cash deal and it seems like this year would be the make or break season for the wicket-keeper batsman. If he fails to perform well, he might go unsold even if he enters future auctions.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is without a doubt, the biggest name in the IPL and an IPL without him would be strange to say the least. However, the same could be reality as the former Indian captain might retire from the tournament after the upcoming season. The 39-year-old hasn’t been in the best of form since his retirement from international cricket. His performances in the 2020 IPL were below par to say the least.
Dhoni might hence, go for one final shot at the IPL title with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) before hanging up his gloves from all forms of cricket.
Also Read: IPL 2021: 5 teams that can sign Marnus Labuschagne in the auction
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Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)