Here is a list of 5 players who might be playing their last IPL season:
1. MS Dhoni
Dhoni is one of the most successful captains to have ever played the game. Even at the age of 40, Dhoni is fitter than many cricketers. After Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Aug 15,2020 many expected that the veteran would play his last IPL in 2020. But he promised the fans to come back in the following year.
Dhoni made a comeback in the 2020 edition of IPL after a 14-month gap from international cricket. But he failed to perform as he scored 200 runs in 14 games at an average of 25. Dhoni will play in the 2nd leg of the 2021 edition of IPL. This is likely to be his last match in IPL as there are high chances of the player announcing his retirement.
2. Harbhajan Singh
Widely known as ‘Bhajji’ is one of the best spinners in the history of the game. Harbhajan is just behind Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of number of wickets in test cricket.
Bhajji joined MI in the inaugural season of IPL and was a part of the team till 2017. Bhajji played a major role in MI’s success in 2013 and 2015. In the 2018 edition of IPL Bhajji was seen wearing yellow jerseys as he picked up 23 wickets in 24 games.
However, Bhajji refused to play in the 2020 edition of IPL due to personal reasons and CSK released him in the end. KKR showed interest in the 2021 edition of IPL and picked him up in the auctions.
Though he is a part of the KKR squad its hard for him to find any game time and is likely to warm up in the bench. Harbhajan is not an active in any form of competitive cricket anymore hence it will be difficult for him to play in another season.
3. Imran Tahir
The South African spinner started his bowling career in the 2014 edition of IPL for Delhi Daredevils. Tahir was also a part of Rising Pune Super giants in 2017. In the following season he made a move to CSK.
Imran Tahir has picked up 80 wickets in 58 matches at an economy rate of 7.83 at an average of 21.1. Tahir holds the record for taking the most number of wickets in a single season (26) in 2019. Inspite of such great performances Tahir was benched for most of the games as he just managed to pick up a single wicket in three games.
Tahir is also inactive in international cricket for South Africa having last played a match in July 2019. Hence it is unlikely for Tahir to find a place in the starting XI for CSK. CSK are likely to play Moeen Ali for the remaining part of the season. Hence the chances of Tahir playing the next season is very slim.
4. Kedar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav will play for Sun Risers Hyderabad in the 2021 edition of IPL. Jadhav hasn’t been a part of the Indian team over a year and it seems like that the team has moved way ahead.
In the 2020 edition of IPL, Jadav scored 62 runs in 8 matches at an average of 20. This was one of the main reasons why CSK released the right-handed batsmen.
Jadhav has already turned 36 and it is unlikely for him to continue in the following seasons. If Jadav fails to do something extraordinary it will be hard for him to find a place in the team. He is the youngest in this list of 5 players who might be playing their last IPL season.
5. Wriddhiman Saha
Over the years Saha has been sensational for SRH in IPL. He had a brilliant season with SRH last year as he scored 200 runs in 4 matches. He scored two half centuries in that year. But Saha did not play in the following season for SRH.
If Saha fails to perform in the 2nd leg of the 2021 edition of IPL, it will hard for him to stay in the team for another year. SRH have got a lot of options for wicketkeeper namely Jonny Bairstow and many more. Saha is also not their first preference as a batsman. So, it will be hard for the 37 year old to stay in the game for another year.
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