The ICC Cricket World Cup is without a doubt the biggest cricketing event of the world. Very few lucky players get to represent their country at the world cup. We have seen that there are many great players in the past who were unable to represent their country in World Cup either due to their injuries or bad form. Many from this country like VVS Laxman, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, and many more players did not represent India at the Cricket's biggest event. So the players who get a chance to play even one world cup are the very lucky ones.
So, today in this article we are going to take a look at those five players who might play their last world cup in England later this year.
#5 Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan has been a great performer when it comes to ICC events. Shikhar has been out of form now for quite some time but Indian team will rely on him heavily in the mega event.
He has been India's leading run scorer in the last three 50-overs ICC event. He was also the leading run scorer the 2013 and 2017 Champions trophy and 5th highest run-getter in 2015 World Cup. His role was very important in India's winning the tournament in 2013 Champions Trophy. He was also adjudged the man of the tournament.
Things have changed now. There have been questions on his form in the longer version of the game. He will be very important for the Indian cricket team in the World Cup later this year.
Shikhar Dhawan is now 33 and by the time 2023 World Cup he will be 37 years and with players like Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill coming through the ranks, it will be very difficult for him to part of the 2023 World Cup.
#4 Kedar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav is a street smart cricketer. He is currently the man with golden arm in the Indian team. Whenever the captain gives him the ball he manages to produce results. He is also quite a handy batsman lower down the order.
Kedar Jadhav will play an important role in the 2019 World Cup because of his all-round abilities. Kedar Jadhav will play the role of a crucial sixth bowler in the side which will give flexibility to Virat to rotate his bowlers. He will also have the responsibility to finish the innings effectively.
In his short career of five years, he has missed quite a few series due to his injuries. If he wants to be part of the team for the 2019 World Cup, he has to make sure that he keeps his fitness up. He is now 33 years old and looking at his fitness levels it is very difficult for him to make it to the 2023 World Cup.
#3 Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik is also another player who might play his last world cup later this year. Dinesh Karthik made his debut for the national side back in the year 2014 but was not able to cement his place in the Indian squad. He was constantly in and out of the side due to his lack of consistency.
Dinesh Karthik has been in his prime form for the last two to three years. He has become more mature and relaxed with his game now. Now he plays the role of a finisher in the Indian team.
He has helped India finish many matches in the last few years and one such performance of him came in the Nidahas Trophy where he helped India lift the trophy by hitting the six of the last ball. He also had a fantastic IPL in 2018. Dinesh is now 33 years of age and most probably play his last world cup and he would definitely want to make it special.
#2 Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu has become the answer to the number 4 spot which has been auditioned by many in past two years but finally, he sealed the spot at least till the world cup. Ambati has been a fantastic ODI player since his debut. He has a very healthy ODI average of 49 in his ODI career.
Last year's IPL was a turning point for him in his cricket career. He batted at every position for the Chennai Super Kings and played a major role in their title triumph. He was their leading run scorer in the tournament. After the IPL season, his game has just gone onto another level.
His place in the world cup squad is now fixed if he is able to keep himself fit and pass the yo-yo test. Last year he failed the yo-yo test before the England tour, so he has to make sure that he does not fail this time. Rayudu is 33 and will be 34 by the world cup and to see him playing till 2023 will be a tough task. So, this also might be his first and last world cup.
1. MS Dhoni
What can you say about this legend, he has done everything that Indian cricket has asked him to do. He has literally all the ICC trophies in his cabinet. India also became the number 1 Test side under his captaincy for the first time. MS has done it all for the Indian cricket.
There have been many questions on MS Dhoni like whether he is still capable of finishing matches like he used to do earlier but every time someone raises questions on him he gives reply with his bat.
He is the oldest player in the team with an age of 37 and this will surely be his last world cup. Virat started playing under his captaincy and would definitely like to gift him the 2019 World Cup. It would be a treat to watch if MS Dhoni can do an action replay of the 2011 World Cup six for one last time in his career.
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