For some marginal players, the ICC World Test Championship final may be the end of the road, and making a comeback after the event is practically difficult. They will almost likely retire, and despite their efforts for the country, they may not be able to confirm a place in the prestigious Indian test team due to their age.
It demonstrates the fierce rivalry for sports in the Indian test team, with no one assured a spot until they consistently perform. Most of the time, the selectors have ensured that the players are given adequate opportunities before being dropped from the group.
Here are the players who we think might retire.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan has been in outstanding form for India in limited-overs contests as well as in the IPL, where he was the top scorer in the most recent edition. However, he is not getting any younger, and his prospects with the Indian whites are very poor. It may be difficult for him to break in against the current test openers, Rohit and Gill, with Mayank Agarwal lurking in the wings.
Dhawan’s style was tested in the swinging circumstances when he last played test cricket for India against England three years ago in 2018. He heroically fought but was eventually dropped out of the Indian test squad.
His test numbers in home circumstances are significantly better, but he is unlikely to play another test for India and should consider retiring after the ICC World Test Championship finals at the age of 35.
Ishant Sharma
This might shock you, but there have been fast bowlers who have quit at an early age due to a variety of injuries. Ishant Sharma is one of those who has suffered numerous ailments, but the 32-year-old is an important part of India’s journey to the ICC World Test Championship finals. Despite his excellent bowling, the tall Delhi guy has to put up with a lot of strain while bowling.
While bowling long spells for India in foreign circumstances, he may start to feel the heat. Ishant Sharma, who has already played over 100 tests for India, is the most experienced player on the roster for the ICC World Test Championship finals.
Murali Vijay
For a long time, Murali Vijay was an essential batsman for India on abroad trips, but he is currently out of favor, and the 37-year-old may find it tough to return to international cricket. He was cut from the Chennai Super Kings’ squad before the IPL began, and he hasn’t played domestic cricket since.
Vijay last played test cricket for India in the 2018 Test series against Australia, when he was pulled from the squad following a spate of poor performances. In foreign settings, he was always a vital contributor, and his technique allowed him to stay in the squad for a long time.
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik began his test career as a wicket-keeper batsman in the middle order, but after a successful season in the top order for Tamil Nadu, he was recalled to the Indian Test team as an opener. He played 26 tests, scoring 1025 runs and hitting only one century and seven fifties. After a long absence from test cricket, he returned to contention in 2017 against Afghanistan.
He was unable to make an impact and played his final test against England in the 2018 test series. The 36-year-old has been in and out of the Indian squad for a long time, and he might consider retiring from test cricket after the ICC World Test Championship final to focus completely on limited-overs cricket, where he still has a chance of making the team.
Wriddhiman Saha
Wriddhiman Saha is in the Indian squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, and he will be in the squad for the five-match test series as well. However, it’s almost clear that he won’t be selected ahead of Rishabh Pant as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
Saha last played for India in the first test against Australia six months ago, and he has been benched since then. The 36-year-old is still one of the top wicket-keepers in the country, and his abilities are undeniable.
Rishabh Pant’s recent contributions with the bat, on the other hand, have made it nearly impossible for him to obtain a game, and he may decide to retire after the ICC World Test Championship finals.