3 Cricketers who might retire before the end of 2018

The year 2018 has been a mixed bag for cricket fans. While the cricketing world has witnessed some memorable moments like the highest-ever ODI total by England against Australia (481/6), the biggest run chase in T20 cricket by the Aussies against the Kiwis and the birth of two new Test nations, there have been some heartbreaking retirements as well.

Legends like AB de Villiers, Alastair Cook, and Morne Morkel bid adieu to international cricket this year leaving massive holes in their teams to fill. Also, there are few more cricketers nearing their late thirties who could announce their retirements from international cricket before the end of this year.

These cricketers have served the game for more than a decade and at this stage of their careers, they have very little to offer to their teams. Some of them are going through a lean patch and are one bad series away from getting dropped.

Here are 3 cricketers who might announce their retirement from international cricket this year and as a result might not feature in the next World Cup.

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#3 Dale Steyn

When the Steyn Gun gets going, there is nothing but carnage

The Phalaborwa pacer has been one of the greatest bowlers that the Rainbow Nation has ever produced. When the Steyn Gun gets going, there is nothing but carnage. However, it's been quite a long time since we saw Steyn rip apart a batting line-up.

Injuries have kept the South African pacer out of the scheme of things for the most part of 2017-18.

He finally made a comeback this January against India only to be ruled out for four months again. When Steyn returned to the South African test team for the tour of Sri Lanka, he was dry on wickets and has picked only four from three tests at 57 apiece.

Steyn has clearly failed to provide the intimidation that his team required from him. In ODI cricket, he has been out of the scheme of things and has not donned the green and yellow since October 2016.

With recurring injuries and South Africa having a sound pace attack in form of KG Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Chris Morris, Steyn might call it a day soon.

#2 Hashim Amla

Amla hasn't scored an ODI hundred this year

The mighty Hash has been a pillar in the South African batting line-up for the last decade across all formats.

Amla is an extremely classy player who gets his runs in an authentic fashion and is a treat to watch when on the song.

However, Amla has been dry on runs this year and pressure is building on him to step up and deliver.

His average in test cricket this year has been 24 which is nowhere near his standards. In ODI cricket too, he replicated the same form in 2018 scoring just 315 runs at an average of 29 with only two fifties and no hundreds.

With South Africa finding new talents this year like Heinrich Klassen, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram, the things are getting tight for Amla to hold on to his place in the side.

If he fails to get back to his run-scoring ways soon, a shocking retirement before the end of this year cannot be ruled out.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

He lost his place from the side after failing the yo-yo test in late 2017

The Punjab batsman has been in and out of the Indian team for last five years and has never been able to cement his place in the side after the 2011 World Cup.

Currently, Yuvraj finds himself at the wrong end and his time has virtually run out.

After making a comeback to the side in January 2017, Yuvi put up some impressive performances including his 150 against England and man of the match performance against Pakistan in the CT 2017.

Barring that, there is hardly anything to talk about. He lost his place from the side after failing the yo-yo test in late 2017.

Realistically, he does not have any chance of representing India again, especially after a torrid season of IPL for the Kings XI Punjab. With nothing left in the tank, it is the perfect time for Yuvraj to call it a day.