The IPL has served the sport of cricket in India and overseas well ever since its inception in 2008. The money-rich T20 franchise league has served as a proving ground for youngsters, helping them establish pathways to their national sides. The tournament has also provided a platform for veteran players who have reached a point of twilight in their careers.
It has been a tournament where fans could flock in to watch their favourite stars, who do not ply their trade for the national team, prolonging the careers of seasoned batsmen and bowlers.
Nearly every season of the IPL has proved to be the swansong for celebrated players, and the upcoming edition of the cash-rich T20 extravaganza could be the last time we see certain players represent the franchises spread across the nation.
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Although nothing is set in stone, there is a strong possibility that these players might hang up their boots at the end of IPL 2024.
MS Dhoni:
Starting with the top-billed name straight off the bat!
The 2024 edition could be the last time we see the celebrated former Indian captain pull on the glorious yellow of his beloved Chennai Super Kings.
Speculations of Dhoni’s retirement have been around for a while now, but the charismatic captain has continued to defy the odds and naysayers by coming back to the ‘Den’ season after season to thrill his fans with his displays with the willow, the glove, or even with his mere presence and astute leadership.
Last year was heavily tipped to be the skipper’s final year in the IPL with an unseen amount of outpouring of love for the wicketkeeper-batter wherever he went, but the World Cup winner has yet again bettered the odds to represent the five-time champions for one more season, at the very least.
While the Chennai faithful would dream of a continued association with the enigmatic skipper, the reality that the 42-year-old could call it a day looms large.
David Warner:
The highest-scoring overseas batsman in the history of the IPL, Warner, who has already retired from Tests and ODIs for his Australian national side, could be riding towards the sunset in his IPL career too.
The maverick opener is likely to play his final T20 World Cup this year and the southpaw, who has created a cult following for himself in the Indian subcontinent with his brilliant batting and off-the-field antics, could be inching towards a retirement from the IPL too.
The Aussie is closing in on 6400 runs and is the only on-Indin in the list of top 5 run-getters in the tournament.
Sunil Naraine:
The wily Windies spinner, who revolutionised the art of break-bowling with a plethora of tricks that bamboozled batters and astounded spectators, could be on his last legs in the IPL too.
The OG mystery spinner, who perplexed opposition with his innumerable variations, and the famous ‘carrom-ball’ that caused a sensation in its early days also evolved into a useful source of runs with the willow in his hand as he started featuring well up the order after his initial outings for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who he has represented ever since his arrival at the Eden Gardens 2012.
Naraine, synonymous with his trademark mohawak, has managed to scalp 163 wickets during his time with KKR and will look to add a few more to his tally before he is done.
Amit Mishra:
Another spinner, who has stood out with his crafty bowling and wicket-taking prowess and has been in contention for the prestigious purple cap for more seasons than not during his long spell in the T20 league, could be on his last legs as well, citing his advanced age.
The bowler, who is north of the 40-mark, now plays for the Lucknow Super Giants and has amassed 173 scalps to date, including 4 four-wicket hauls and a fifer.
Mishra also has two hattricks to his name, one each from his time at the Deccan Chargers and Delhi Capitals, respectively.
Piyush Chawla:
The leg-spinner, who was retained by the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 auction, could feature in his final season of the IPL in the upcoming season.
Despite being the youngest player on the list, Chawla, who has managed 179 dismissals and stands third in the list of all-time leading wicket-takers in the IPL behind only Yuzvendra Chahal and Dwayne Bravo, might be planning to draw the curtains on his time in the domestic T20 league as per reports.
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