While the 2024 T20 World Cup promises mouth-watering contests, it might also mark the end of some glittering careers. Here’s an XI of stars potentially playing their last T20 World Cup.
David Warner
After retiring from ODIs and Tests earlier, Warner, Australia’s second-highest run-scorer across formats, has confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2024 will draw the curtains on his international career. Quite symbolically, the format that helped him shoot to fame will witness his final act. The pugnacious southpaw batter has been a part of Australia’s 2022 T20 World Cup and 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup wins.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit has been a constant name since India’s title-winning campaign in 2007. Since the inaugural run, he has transformed from a middle-order batter into a legendary opener, but his numbers at the T20 World Cup leave a lot to be desired: In 2022, Rohit averaged 19.33 at the top of the order, striking at only 106. Already 37, Rohit will look to make amends to what could be his swansong in the tournament.
Virat Kohli
Having won the Player of the Tournament in 2014 and 2016, Kohli will have a last shot at the trophy after reinventing himself as a T20 batter in the 2024 IPL. He will be 37 when India play their next T20 World Cup at home in 2026, and he may retire from the shortest format by then to manage his workload.
Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow is part of England’s golden generation that revolutionised white-ball cricket after their 2015 ODI World Cup debacle. Having missed the 2022 World Cup due to a freak injury, opener Phil Salt’s rise pushed him into the middle order this time. His scratchy run of late could prompt him to hang up his boots before the next World Cup jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib is only the second player alongside Rohit to feature in all the editions of the competition. The greatest cricketer Bangladesh have ever produced, he has the most wickets – 47 wickets at an average of 18.63 and an economy of 6.78 – in the tournament’s history. While the waning batting prowess in recent years has been a concern, he is still a potent threat with his cunning left-arm orthodox spin. Though he has expressed his desire to play the next edition, it would take some doing for the 37-year-old to make that happen.
Angelo Mathews
As recently as this January, Mathews returned to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad after a hiatus of three years, against Zimbabwe, and emerged as the highest run-scorer in the series (118) besides bowling some handy overs in the powerplay. Part of the sides that finished runners-up in 2009 and won in 2014, Mathews, now 37, is now primed for one potential last tilt at T20 World Cup glory.
Andre Russell
Russell is another cricketer to have linked up with his international team after a two-year absence just before the T20 World Cup. Having last represented the West Indies at the 2021 T20 World Cup, he was not selected for the next edition in Australia when selector Desmond Haynes said the team had “moved on” from him, but Russell got a recall after confirming his availability. Given his being in and out of the West Indies team and inclination towards franchise cricket, the T20 World Cup this year could be Russell’s final outing.
Moeen Ali
Another vital cog in England’s white-ball renaissance, Moeen is one of the few players for England running out of age by his side. He is unlikely to fly to the subcontinent in 2026 and will look to finish on a high in his team’s title defence.
Chris Jordan
With 98 scalps, Jordan is England’s leading T20I wicket-taker, behind Adil Rashid (110). He leapfrogged Chris Woakes to return to the T20I setup, having last played in September last year. Besides death-bowling skills, his handiness as a lower-order batter and excellent fielder earned him the spot. Part of the teams that finished runners-up in 2016 and won the title in 2022, Jordan, now 35, may bid adieu to the T20 World Cup.
Adil Rashid
Moeen’s partner in crime in England’s spin flotilla, Rashid is another player to be in the wrong side of thirty. Like Moeen, Rashid was an integral part of their 2022 success. The wily wrist-spinner has taken 21 wickets at the T20 World Cup at 26.09 while going at 6.99 with a career-best of 4-2 against West Indies in 2021; fans may witness him take centre stage for the one last time in the event.
Trent Boult
Boult rarely plays bilateral series for New Zealand after opting to forego his central contract in the lure of lucrative overseas franchise cricket deals. With his participation for the national side is mostly limited to the World Cups now, it will not be surprising if 2024 becomes his last stint at the global event for the veteran fast bowler.
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