The Last Dance ft. Virat, Rohit, Warner, and More…
Indian Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin-who was the last-minute inclusion in the India’s World Cup squad-in his recent interview said that “this might be his last world cup so he is just enjoying this journey.”
Eventually all things have a
culmination, so as this too. Though, there are many stars who must be shivering
to address media with this heroism-that they may be entering their final ODI
World Cup showdown-but nonchalantly they have to, at least after some stage.
As the hype and saga of ICC
men’s ODI cricket World Cup have sky-rocketed with all teams going all-out
in their preparations prior to the biggest extravaganza, some hypothetical fans
have already started smoking the tales of the cricket’s biggest superstars
setting the stage on fire one last time at the highest level.
The last decade has been a
witness to many stalwarts who have not only fluctuated the records book with
their remarkable authority but also helped their side cruise to the victories
in most pressure situations. Two of the names that emerge straight away when we
talk about ODI cricket are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
These 2 Indian superstars have
undeterredly ruled the limited overs kingdom with their utter dominance and
helped Indian side to win many multi-national tourneys from World Cup,
Champions Trophy, to Asia Cup. Virat was part of the 2011 WC winning side with
young Kohli following the footsteps of his idol Sachin Tendulkar.
Although Rohit was overlooked
from that dream side but 12 years later, the Hitman will navigate the ship in the
next home world cup. Virat is 35, and Rohit is 36. They will be touching 40s
till next World Cup. Hence, the talks around their last mega-event
participation is worthy for.
If not for the hosts, the
five-time world champions Australia too is gearing up for one last dance of
their two mega all format stalwarts David Warner and Steven Smith.
It is highly unlikely that they will be humbling opposition bowlers with next
world cup being in 2027 and Warner will be 40 at that interval.
With him not being at the top
of his superpowers, the talismanic opener had already announced that he is
eyeing 2025 Champions Trophy as his final venture. His long-time mate Steven
Smith, who is a golden horse in world cup stage too will be looking to hang up
his boots-at-least from one-day format-as his command over Test cricket will
prevail over anything.
Now, if we travel from one
Trans-Tasman country to the other one, we will see a cool-headed guy with some
long beard-often smiling at the easiest and hardest of times-padding up gently,
for apparently the last time in the tournament in which he has been standing on
the receiving end for past 2 competition.
Kane Williamson, one of the calmest and sharpest of minds will be
rooting for that elusive trophy-which has been his Achilles heels for past 8
years-for one last time. The 2019 World Cup Man of the tournament-just like New
Zealand team-often remains under radar but always comes out as the brightest
stone.
His 2008 U-19 company Tim
Southee and Trent Boult too will be eyeing the biggest triumph before calling
their time.
Now, the more we talk about
him, the more we will apprehend by his artistry. It is not a joke to call a
player to come out of the retirement and play the world cup until and unless
their name is Ben Stokes.
It is enough to describe a one-in-a-generation player like him with two fascinating words-hefty and daring. Only a player with such caliber can produce a striking 182 on his return to 50-over circuit with such ease.
Jos Buttler is every
individual when it comes to stating the fact that no player other than Stokes
can master the chords of ICC events. Witnessing the Ben classic in astonishing
WC 2019 final and 2022 T20 WC final provides you the in-depth prove of that.
Realizing this could be the
ultimate saga for Stokes in World Cup jitters every individual who is obsessed
with beholding his masterclass in regular intervals.
Apart from some of these
giants who will be representing their nation for one last time in the
prestigious event, there are other unsung heroes too who will leave an impeccable
mark to this sport and particularly this format.
Bangladesh captain Shakib
Al Hasan, who will field in his 5th World Cup must be hopeful of
some miracle in his last outing as Bangladesh have never made it to the
knockout stage as well-except for unimaginable 2015.
South African explosives Quinton
De Kock-who will retire from ODI format after the conclusion of the World
Cup-and David Miller too will be fighting hard to remove the choker tag
on the nation that is known for producing the greatest of cricketers.
Joe Root, a fab-4 regular will look to bid adieu from this
format by once again repeating the 2019 heroics and defending the title in the
Indian sub-continent.
The stage has been set, teams
have arrived, dreams have laid, now the search for the cricket’s ultimate glory
will be profound in next 7 weeks with 10 most competitive nations will give all
to be named as the next world rulers of cricket. Off to Indian shores now.
Good luck.
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