4 cricketers likely to retire in 2020

Retirements are part and parcel of any game, let alone cricket. It is always sad to see the legends of the game who have entertained the fans for more than a decade retire, but that is how life goes. The year 2019 saw many cricketers hanging their boots, including legends of the game like Yuvraj Singh and Hashim Amla. Some players have retired from all formats of the game, while others continue to play the shorter formats.

Like 2019, the forthcoming year may also see some of the greats call it a day from international cricket. With the T20 World Cup scheduled in Australia as their final outing, the likelihood of retirement of senior and beloved players is very high. Here are four players who might stop playing in 2020.

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#4 Dale Steyn

Imjuries have periodically plauged Dale Steyn's career

Dale Steyn is arguably the greatest fast bowlers of this decade, but 2019 saw him play his last Test match for his country. With an eye on the white-ball cricket, he announced his retirement from the Test cricket.

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The Mzansi Super League which concluded recently, saw him making a comeback to the T20 format of the game. In the 8-matches that he represented the Cape Town Blitz, he took 15 wickets. He has also been picked up by the Royal Challengers from Bangalore for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League and is currently playing the Big Bash League with the Melbourne Stars. Injuries have already taken a toll on his Test career, and next year could likely be Dale's final year at the international level. Only time will tell whether he plays the T20WC or will the injuries return to spoil his well-deserved farewell as it did in the 2019 World Cup in England.

#3 Ross Taylor

The underrated legend that is Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor is one of the legends to represent the Black Caps, but he has been relatively underrated when compared to others like Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, and Daniel Vettori. Taylor, along with Williamson has been a pillar in the middle-order, and his records speak for itself. The soon to be 36-year old has already acknowledged the fact that the 2019 World Cup was his last. It is highly likely that this upcoming T20WC could be the tournament where he bids farewell.

While Ross Taylor's experience will be key for the Kiwis this time around as well, but New Zealand is a country with young talents bursting onto the international scene, and it is highly unlikely that Ross will continue to play for much longer, at least in the T20 format. The upcoming World Cup can be the fitting farewell that this he richly deserves.

#2 Lasith Malinga

Possibly the end of the greatest death bowler - Malinga

The deadliest death bowler in the history of the game has already hung his boots in the Test, and the One Day International (ODI) format and 2020 can be the year he finally decides to retire from the T20s as well. Lasith Malinga has played 79 T20 internationals, where he has taken 106 wickets, which is the most by any bowler. He has already won the T20 World Cup for Sri Lanka while captaining them in the year 2014, and will once again be leading them in the upcoming T20WC.

Sri Lanka cricket is going through a phase of rebuilding with legends of the game like Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumara Sangakara retiring, but Malinga's performance has been nothing short of excellent. He recently even took a double hat-trick in the T20 game against New Zealand. Fans all over the world, and Malinga himself will be hoping that he can end his career on a high.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni's career is coming to a full circle in 2020

MS Dhoni is one of the greatest ever a limited-overs player that India has ever produced. His achievements are not limited only as a batsman, but also extends as a captain. Under Dhoni's leadership, India has won all the ICC trophies on offer. Many predicted that Dhoni would announce his retirement after India's exit from the 2019 Cricket World Cup where they lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals, but that has not been the case.

Rishabh Pant's performance can be one of the reasons that Dhoni has not announced his retirement yet. He has not played any competitive cricket match since the World Cup semi-final exit, but the Indian coach Ravi Shastri has hinted that MS Dhoni's future will be decided based on his IPL performance. The ICC T20 World Cup was the first ICC Trophy that Dhoni conquered, and he should end his career winning the T20 World Cup in 2020.