ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: 5 Players who might retire from ODIs after the tournament

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)

Cricket World Cup 2023 is around the corner. Though ICC hasn’t announced the entire schedule yet, reports suggest that the tournament will kick off on 5th October, with the summit clash scheduled on 19th November. This time, India will host cricket’s biggest carnival for the first time since the 2011 World Cup.

With this World Cup, we may get to see the last matches of a few ODI greats. Few may get to play the World Cup and few may not. For them specially, it will be hard to prolong their 50-over career as the team management has already thought beyond them. With many other factors involved, it could be best for them to bid adieu to ODI cricket.

This list mostly comprises cricketers aged over 35 or so. The next World Cup will be in 2027, and by then they might hang their boots. So, this time they all will be eager to give their best shots to win the coveted title. It will be a perfect sendoff for their services to ODI cricket.

5. Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Indian opening batter Shikhar Dhawan will be eyeing a spot in the squad for the World Cup. It’s highly unlikely he’ll feature this time, as far as the team management is concerned. Due to the Delhi opener’s recent decline in form and the resurgence of Shubman Gill, India will likely go with Gill over Dhawan.

It will be a sad end to Dhawan’s ODI career considering his records in ICC events. The southpaw batter has struck 1238 runs in 20 innings that he played in 50 overs format. This includes two Cricket World Cups in 2015, 2019 and two Champions Trophies in 2013, 2017.  Except for the 2019 CWC where he got injured after scoring a century in India’s second match, he was India’s highest run-getter in the remaining three ICC events. In 2013, 2017 Champions Trophy, Shikhar was the winner of the Golden Bat.

So, he knows how to score and perform in big-stage matches. With skipper Rohit, he shares a great rapport; they’re the fourth most successful opening pair in ODI cricket. They both opened 115 times scoring 5148 runs (2 runs short of the next best) including eighteen century stands. So, if given a chance to play, he will likely end his career after the World Cup.

4. Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)Caption

This year’s Cricket World Cup could be the last for New Zealand opener Martin Guptill. The long-term opener last appeared for the BlackCaps way back in 2022 against Australia. Since then, he hasn’t featured in any games for NZ, though he’s been among runs in professional matches. It would be a herculean task for him to replace any of  Finn Allen or Devon Conway at the top.

The Auckland boy is known for consistent runs in ODI cricket where he played 198 matches scoring 7346 runs. His impact was top notch, he could single-handedly destroy the opponents. In 27 World Cup matches, he got close to 1000 runs which include 2 hundreds and 4 half-centuries. His most notable World Cup performance would be 237 in the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup.

Last time, his team couldn’t cross the final hurdle but this time they’ll want to do better. He’s an experienced cricketer and NZC can get him in the squad. His presentation in the dressing room will encourage the youngsters. A born fighter, Martin will be eyeing a seat on the flight to India. 

3. David Warner

David Warner. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Australia’s swashbuckling opener David Warner has laid out his plans regarding retirement. Over the next year, he’ll retire from all three formats of the game. According to his statement, Warner will play his last ODI game for Kangaroos in the World Cup. He’s a true match-winner in all senses, and Australia will find it hard to have someone replace him soon.

In the last World Cup, Warner had a dream run of 647 runs in 10 innings. He was one run short of Rohit Sharma, who was highest run-getter in that year’s tournament. Although he played only nine ODI matches here in India averaging 52, but he knows Indian conditions well. He can be a game-changer at the top for Australia, setting the tone for batters to come.

The 36-year-old cricketer will look for a perfect farewell. Last time Australia missed out on playing the final, this year they will look to be in the finals. Warner has already lifted the World Cup in 2015, this year, 8 years down the lane, he will try to repeat the feat.

2. Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al hasan. (Photo Source:Steve Bell – ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

One of the best all-rounders of modern-day cricket, Shakib Al Hasan may play his last 50 over World Cup in India. The poster boy of Bangladesh cricket is dominating limited-overs cricket over the last decade. His all-round performances speak volumes of his high caliber.

Shakib ranks ninth in World Cup’s all-time leading run-getters chart. His numbers of 1146 runs in just 29 innings are spectacular, this World Cup will see him go up the ranks. With his bowling, he has taken 34 wickets placing him at the twelfth position in the bowler’s list. Shakib’s exceptional run in 2019 was the highlight of the World Cup. This time in the subcontinent, he’ll like to continue from where he left off.

With the advent of T20 leagues around the world, it’s unlikely Shakib will continue to play the 50 overs format after this World Cup. He’s achieved everything as an individual except the ICC trophy. If Bangladesh keep their form intact, Shakib’s army will be a threat to big nations.

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

One of the most surprising names cricket fans will find is India’s captain Rohit Sharma. The 36-year-old cricketer who’s been given the responsibility to end India’s ICC trophy drought. It could be his last stint as India’s captain, so he’ll be under tremendous pressure to deliver.

In seventeen World Cup matches, Rohit scored 978 runs averaging 65.20 and striking at 95.97. He had a blast during the last World Cup, with 5 centuries in 9 innings. They had a heartbreaking loss against New Zealand in the semifinal, and pictures of Rohit Sharma breaking down were all over the media. This time the World Cup is at home, probably India’s best chance to lift the cup at home after 12 years.

This time, Rohit will be leading the Men in Blue. From being left out of the squad in the last home World Cup to captaining the nation, he has come a long way. The Nagpur boy knows how to win trophies, he’s a born leader. He will have backing from all Indian fans out there. He has nothing left to prove, if he can lead the team to a title win; it’ll be a befitting end to his illustrious career.