IPL 2018: 5 Veterans who might bid adieu to IPL next season

Another sensational season of IPL has come to an end and Chennai Super Kings clinched the star-studded IPL story.

A lot of young players like Rishabh Pant, Ankit Rajpoot, Mayank Markande, Jofra Archer punched above their weight whereas a few veterans of the game like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh couldn’t show their vintage form.

Here we look at 5 players who might have played their last IPL:

#1 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir’s homecoming to the Delhi Daredevils was a much-anticipated one. However, his disappointing form this season indicated that the veteran has entered the twilight of his career.

Gambhir was being perceived as a shrewd buy by the DD camp given ahead of the tournament because of his wealth of experience and his reputation. Gambhir etched his name in the history of IPL as one of the most successful skippers, who guided former team KKR to two IPL victories and as one of the most successful players of the tournament.

But, this year Gambhir could manage only 85 runs in 6 games and he decided to step down as the skipper of DD after an unsuccessful campaign.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

When India belatedly embraced Twenty20 cricket 12 years ago, Yuvraj Singh emerged as one of the best players of limited-overs format. Having played 128 IPL matches, it seems like Yuvraj Singh might decide to call it a day next year.

Yuvraj Singh has been an inseparable part of the cash-rich league since its inception and has amassed 2652 runs at a strike rate of 129.68. But this year he was able to score only 65 runs in 8 matches.

#3 Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson is regarded as one of the best Australian players. His deceptive bowling style and his flamboyance have graced the cash-rich league for many years.

Last year Mitchell helped them MI win the IPL title with a brilliant last over and he made a remarkable contribution with the bat late down the order.

After going unsold in the auction this year, Johnson was snapped up by KKR who were vouching for bringing some experience and ability to their squad.

However, things things things didn’t go too well for the pacer as he played just 6 games this season, claiming just 2 wickets. He has taken more than 60 scalps in his IPL career.

#4 Imran Tahir

Tahir was the oldest no.1 bowler in T20 format ever and he enjoyed great success with Rising Pune Supergiants last season where he picked up 18 wickets and played a key role in guiding them to the final.

But this time things didn’t turn the way it was expected. With Bhajji and Jaddu in the CSK lineup, Tahir couldn’t make the difference in the 6 games that he played.

The South African bowler just picked up 2 wickets in his 6 outings. He might decide to hang his boots next year.

#5 Harbhajan Singh

Turbanator was one of the oldest additions in the CSK squad.

He couldn’t make his mark while playing this season and could take only 7 wickets in the 13 matches he played. Considering his current form, he might decide against playing next season.