11 Cricketers who could play their last Cricket World Cup in 2023

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will kick-off on 5th October with a clash between finalists of the last edition.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to commence on October 5, with defending champions England taking on runner-ups of the last edition, New Zealand at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 10-team event will be played in a similar format that was followed in the 1992 and 2019 World Cups, with each team playing against each other to qualify for the top 4. The next tournament from here will see an increase in the number of teams taking part in the 50-over Cricket World Cup. The 2027 World Cup will be played with 14 teams in the tournament. This mega event might see several cricketers playing their last World Cup.

Numerous players around the world will be playing either their last 50-over Cricket World Cup. Along with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, other big names like Trent Boult, David Warner, Steve Smith, and David Miller will try to receive a winning send-off along with their team members. With T20I and Test Cricket numbers going up, ODI cricket declining, and players catching up with their age, they will look to prolong their league and test careers and may give up on the 50-over format.

Let’s have a look at the list of 11 players who might be playing their last World Cup event:

1. David Warner (Australia)

Australian opener David Warner had already hinted at his retirement from Test Cricket after the home summer test series against Pakistan. This increases the speculation around the end of Warner’s international career as well. 2015 World Cup winner David Warner has been a mainstay in the Australian batting order, and for the upcoming World Cup, he will try his best to place his hands on cricket’s most coveted trophy.

2. Rohit Sharma (India)

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma has a dominating record in the World Cup event and has smashed six centuries in 17 innings of the event. Rohit missed out on the 2011 World Cup squad due to poor form. Rohit will be looking to sign off from the ODI format as well as from missing the World Cup trophy in his career. Rohit was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

3. Steve Smith (Australia)

Former Australian captain Steve Smith has been a part of the Australian World Cup squad for the last three editions. He played a magnificent role in Australia’s campaign for the 2015 World Cup. Steve Smith also might be playing his last World Cup event as he is around 35 years old, and the declining number of ODIs will prompt all these players to stop their 50-over careers.

4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been hit by multiple injuries in recent times. Williamson is still recovering from an ACL-related injury that he sustained during the inaugural game of the IPL 2023 in India. Williamson, after persistent problems with his injuries, will also be looking to say goodbye and may not feature in the next mega event that is four years away.

5. Joe Root (England) 

The 32-year-old member of the fab four of the current batting generation, Joe Root, will be close to 37 until the next World Cup event comes around. Root is mainly focusing on the longer format of the game and has started to take part in the various T20 leagues around the world as well. A change in cricket dynamics will also put him on the retiree’s list after the 2023 World Cup.

6. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 

Shakib Al Hasan has been appointed as the leader of the Bangladesh ODI squad once again at the age of 36. Shakib is the most experienced player in the Bangladesh setup, along with Mushfiqur Rahim, who may not play long after the 2023 World Cup and retire before the next mega event in 2027.

7. Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) 

Mushfiqur Rahim, along with Shakib Al-Hasan, will be playing his fifth World Cup for Bangladesh since 2007 in West Indies. 36-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim will be above 40 when the next World Cup comes in 2027, and it is highly possible that Rahim will also be signing off from his World Cup career along with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

8. Trent Boult (New Zealand)

The New Zealand pace bowler has already opted out of the central contract with the Blackcaps. Boult is 34 years old and looking to build on his career around the world in T20 leagues. Boult has stayed away from most of the international fixtures but is coming back right before the World Cup, giving a sense of saying goodbye to international cricket.

9. Virat Kohli (India) 

One of the finest cricketers in the world may carry on for a bit after the World Cup 2023, but not as long for the next mega event in 2027. Virat Kohli was a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad and will be looking to sign off on a good note in 2023. Virat, along with a few others in the India setup, might stay away from the 50-over format.

10. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

2015 World Cup winner Glenn Maxwell has been an absolute match-winner for the Kangaroos in international cricket. Maxwell played a massive role in Australia’s two ICC titles in the last 10 years. With age not being on his side, Maxwell may also sign off after the World Cup and could not prolong himself until the next World Cup in 2027.

11. David Miller (South Africa)

South African batsman David Miller almost came closer to taking his home team to the final of the World Cup for the first time in 2015. The 34-year-old middle order batsman also might be playing his last 50-over World Cup as he wants to focus on the shortest format of the game. Miller is playing a vital role for every team he plays for in franchise cricket and will look to carry on his career in the shorter format of the game.

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