T20 World Cup 2022: 6 players who might retire from T20Is after the tournament

The T20 World Cup in Australia later this year promises to be a blockbuster event as some of the most entertaining cricketers will travel Down Under in pursuit of the coveted trophy. The tournament will see 16 teams go head to head, with the final to be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia lifted their maiden T20 World Cup last year after defeating neighbours New Zealand in the finals. The tournament was supposed to be hosted by India initially but was later moved to Oman and the UAE due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since it will be a second tournament within 12 months, there ought to be many familiar faces from last year’s edition, but a few of them might be making their last appearance in the tournament.

With the increasing demands due to the rise of domestic leagues and major ICC events in other formats fast approaching, we look at some of the biggest names who are likely to bid farewell to this format after this year’s T20 World Cup.

1. Aaron Finch (Australia) – 35 years

Aaron Finch is one of the stalwarts of the Australian white-ball side and led the team to their maiden success in the tournament last year. Although diminutive in stature, the opening batter packs quite a punch and is an extremely dangerous batter in the shortest format of the game.

The Victorian made his debut for the national side in 2011 in a T20I against England where he played in the middle order. He blew hot and cold for several years. He even made his Test debut in 2018. However, Finch has played only five Tests so far and has been a limited-overs cricketer in national colours predominantly. The Aussie skipper’s score of 172 against Zimbabwe in 2018 is the highest in T20Is and speaks volumes of his batting prowess.

The 35-year-old is the fourth-highest run-getter in the format but has hinted at retirement after completing this year’s edition of the T20 World Cup. If he does decide to call it quits, he might want to do it in style by lifting the trophy in front of his home supporters.

2. David Warner (Australia) – 35 years

One of cricket’s most intriguing personalities, David Warner has been Finch’s partner in crime for a number of years as the southpaw has slammed opposition bowlers with his explosive batting at the top of the order. One of the best all-format openers in the world, Warner continues to be an asset to the Australian side.

The New South Wales man was touted as a white-ball specialist when he made his debut for the national side in 2009. But over the years he fortified his temperament in red-ball cricket and grew an appetite for scoring runs in the traditional format of the game as well. The pocket-sized dynamo has seen quite a few highs and lows in his career, the ball-tampering scandal of 2018 being his lowest of lows.

The opening batter was staring down the barrel after a horrendous IPL 2021 and was on the verge of quitting the game before a rejuvenated Warner took the 2021 T20 World Cup by storm and was named the Player of the Tournament for his invaluable contribution with the bat. With the 50-over World Cup scheduled in India next year, he might retire from the T20I format after this year’s tournament to concentrate on the longer formats of the game.

3. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 33 years

New Zealand’s most potent all-format bowler over the years, Tim Southee has been around the international circuit since making his debut for the national side against England in 2008.

Southee, who is one of the best exponents of the swinging ball is the second leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 111 scalps to his name in 92 appearances for the Kiwis. The lanky right-arm quick continues to be a feature for the BlackCaps across all three formats.

But recent poor performances in white-ball cricket suggest that the Kiwi might be thinking about quitting the format in order to prolong his career in the traditional form of the game, where he continues to exploit batters’ weaknesses against the swinging ball.

4. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 35 years

Bangladesh’s most renowned and celebrated cricketer, Shakib Al Hasan has had an illustrious career for the subcontinent side. One of the most accomplished all-rounders of the modern era, the southpaw is the only cricketer to achieve the milestone of 2000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is.

The globetrotting all-rounder has been a feature of several T20 franchises across the world due to his phenomenal exploits. Shakib is a menace in the shortest format of the game and is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 121 dismissals to his name.

The 35-year-old is at that stage where he needs to preserve his body for important events, and the newly appointed Test captain might shift his focus to red-ball cricket after the upcoming ICC event in Australia.

5. Virat Kohli (India) – 33 years

Virat Kohli, the champion batter from India, is arguably the greatest batter across all formats over the last decade, with over 23000 runs to his name in international cricket. The stylish top-order batter has been on a lean run of form of late, and his place in the team is also under scrutiny, according to experts.

The former Indian skipper, who led India in all formats until 2021, is the second highest run-scorer in T20Is with 3308 runs under his belt at a staggering average of 50.12 and is just one match short of making 100 appearances for the Indian team in the format.

Kohli’s struggle with the bat is a concern for the Indian team with the emergence of young talented players, who are ready to dislodge the veteran batter from the side. But the major reason for his retirement post the T20 World Cup later this year could be the 50-over World Cup next year in India and his love for Test cricket.

6. Rohit Sharma (India) – 35 years

India’s multi-format skipper and gifted opener, Rohit Sharma is one of the most watchable batters in white-ball cricket when in full flow. The elegant right-hand batter has been one of the stalwarts of the Indian batting order and now leads from the front after taking over the reins from Kohli.

Rohit has made 128 appearances for the national team in T20Is, the most by any player on the international stage, and is the leading run-getter with 3379 runs to his name. He has smashed four centuries in this entertaining format of the game, more than any other batter.

Much like his former skipper and compatriot, the Mumbaikar would also look to prioritize ODI cricket post the ICC event later this year with hopes of leading his country to their third World Cup title, in front of their home crowd. Although their chances are slim at the moment India could also make it to their second successive WTC finals next year, which could serve as motivation for the opening batter’s decision to quit the format with age also not on his side.