3 veterans who might be playing their last IPL season in 2020

The 13th season of Indian Premier League is a few months away and the franchises have already started their preparations. The reigning champions Mumbai Indians and runners-up of 2019 season, Chennai Super Kings will start as favourites to win the 2020 edition.

The performances of the players in this season will determine their fate for a place in their respective national teams for the upcoming T20 World Cup that will commence in Australia later in the year 2020. While many youngsters will look to seize the opportunity, there are few veterans who would want to make an impact to catch the eye of the selectors. Although it would be improbable for the veterans to make the cut into the national team, they would want to make an impact in the IPL arena and leave the stage on a high. Let us look at few veterans who might be playing their last IPL season.

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#3 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga has been part of the Mumbai Indians set-up since 2009

Lasith Malinga has been undoubtedly one of the most valuable international players since his debut in the 2009 season. The right-arm fast bowler was bought by Mumbai Indians in 2009 and ever since there has been no looking back. In 11 IPL seasons, Malinga has played 122 games in which he picked up 170 wickets at an impeccable average of 19.85.

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He holds the record for most number of wickets in Indian Premier League and also has 4 IPL titles under his belt - all playing for the Mumbai Indians. Despite being a regular in the playing XI, Malinga sat on the bench for the 2018 season and didn't play a game. However, the Sri Lankan fast bowler made a comeback in the 2019 season. In 12 games, the fast bowler picked up 16 wickets at an average of 27.38. With Mumbai Indians having adequate bowling bench strength and with age (36) and fitness not on his side, this season might be the last season for the veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler.

#2 Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra had a below-par 2019 season with only 11 wickets to his name

Amit Mishra is regarded as one of the most consistent performers with the ball in the Indian Premier League since its inception. The 37-year-old leg-spinner is the second-highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League with 157 wickets from 147 games. The veteran leg-spinner also holds the record for being the only player to take 3 hat-tricks playing for 3 different teams. He achieved this feat by playing for Delhi Daredevils, Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Amit Mishra was bought by Delhi Capitals for the 2015 season and was retained by the same franchise in the 2019 season. The leggie had an average 2018 season for the Delhi Capitals with 12 wickets from 10 games at an average of 22.00, whereas in the 2019 season he could only manage 11 scalps from 11 games at an average of 24.55, which is considered to be poor from his standards. With the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Axar Patel in the side, it would be tough for Amit Mishra to find a place in the squad and this season might be the last one for him in the league.

#1 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh picked up 16 wickets in the 2019 season for Chennai Super Kings

Harbhajan Singh is regarded as one of the most iconic players in the Indian Premier League. Starting off with the Mumbai Indians in 2008, Harbhajan Singh was their marquee player until the 2018 season. He was released from the Mumbai Indians squad in the 2018 season and was picked up by Chennai Super Kings and ever since has been part of the squad.

In 160 games, the veteran off-spinner has picked up 150 wickets at an average of 26.55. The off-spinner had a good showing in 2019 season, as he picked up 16 wickets in 11 games at an impeccable average of 19.50. Despite giving such good performance, it would be difficult to see the 39-year old playing all the games considering his lack of cricket in the international circuit and first-class cricket. This year might well see him announcing his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League.