5 Oldest players who might be playing their last T20 World Cup in 2022 - Cricket Winner

Well, the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia can be the last ICC T20I event for many cricketers. Significantly, the players who are almost 36 or above might even make their last ICC tournament appearance. Even the multi-format players who are between 33-35 might exit the shortest format to prolong their international careers.

Also, as the next edition is scheduled in 2024, most teams will look to transition themselves with youngsters. In fact, teams like Bangladesh are already using the Australia event as a stepping stone for the 2024 World T20. Overall the personnel appearing in the 2022 ICC event contains young guns, vintage players as well as old maestros.

Therefore in this list, let’s check out the 5 oldest players who might be appearing in their last T20 World Cup in 2022.

Dinesh Karthik

After IPL 2022, DK has become a regular member of the Indian T20I team. In the upcoming Australia event, the veteran will also start in India’s frontline playing XI. Since his comeback, the batter has also scored 273 runs from his 19 outings at a strike rate of 150.82. Personally, DK will also be playing his fourth T20 World Cup.

But sadly after the mega event, the 37-year-old will eventually retire from international cricket. The gloveman after his horrific IPL 2021 just wanted to yet again play for India, especially in T20Is. After his heroic IPL 2022, Karthik certainly made his case as a lower middle-order specialist/finisher.

Nevertheless, though the cricketer might continue playing the IPL, the 2024 World T20 will be a very distant destination. That’s why the old maestro will strive unflinchingly to make India win the 2022 edition.

Fortunately, by getting adequate games before the World T20, DK looks in a great rhythm. All in all, Karthik hopefully should bid adieu to international cricket by winning his third ICC trophy.

Aaron Finch

Just recently, Aaron Finch hung his ODI boots for Australia. Last year the cricketer kept the 2023 World Cup as his final destination. But agonizingly his form in the 50-over game had become a big concern. In this calendar year, Finch in ODIs was just averaging 12.42.

However, the 35-year-old is also now past his best when it comes to T20 cricket. During his peak from 2016 to 2019, Finch in T20s used to amass runs at an average of 40.86 along with a strike rate of 154.81. However after the pandemic in T20Is, the batter averages just 29.5 that too at a mediocre strike rate of 125.46. Even his total T20I career average (34.7) and strike rate (144.88) are still healthier than his recent performances.

Some experts have also opined about his uncertain selection in the 2022 World Cup squad. According to them as Finch is a T20 World Cup-winning skipper for Australia that’s his only merit to be a part of the playing XI. Also when it comes to the batter’s gameplay, Finch is now criticized for his ailing strike rate.

Overall amidst all of the above, this Aussie veteran looks to be passing the twilight phase of his international career. Therefore the 2022 World T20 could be the final ICC white-ball event for Aaron Finch.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Undoubtedly, R Ashwin for India has been a legendary modern-day spinner. In all three formats, Ashwin has exceedingly thrived. Even in T20Is, the bowler made a remarkable comeback in the 2021 World T20. Currently, in the 2022 World T20, Ashwin is the second-choice spinner after Yuzi Chahal.

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But sadly as the 36-year-old is ageing, Ashwin might quit white-ball cricket to prolong his Test career. Maybe the Australia event could also be his last ICC white-ball tournament appearance. For the 2023 ODI World Cup, Ashwin will face both fitness and selection hindrances to represent India. That’s why the cricketer won’t leave any stone unturned to win his maiden ICC World T20.

Overall in Australia, Ashwin will be playing his fifth ICC T20 World Cup. All in all, the legend if retires in November will finish in the top five for scalping the most T20I wickets for India.

Mohammad Nabi

Interestingly, both Afghanistan and Mohammad Nabi had collectively commenced their World T20 journey in 2010. The cricketer in that edition was playing under the captaincy of Nawroz Mangal. After that, this veteran has been part of all the editions. Additionally, Nabi has captained Afghanistan the most in the T20 World Cups.

But bitterly this year’s mega event might become his final appearance. As this Afghan legend is ageing, Nabi will be close to 40 when the 2024 event arrives. More importantly, the next year’s ODI World Cup might also challenge his fitness and workload. Also as the all-rounder is a popular T20 freelancer, maybe Nabi might look to excel in the global T20 leagues.

Nonetheless, as Afghanistan is also now getting infused with young talent, Nabi might look to vacate his place. All in all, maybe the 2023 World Cup can also be his last international assignment.

Craig Ervine

This Zimbabwean skipper certainly will be playing his last World T20. It was in 2010 when Craig made his World T20 debut. Following that, the southpaw was also then featured in the 2012 edition. But after that, the cricketer hasn’t much embraced T20Is. It’s only now in 2022 that Craig has played the most number of T20Is (15) in a calendar year.

However, the shortest format isn’t the strongest suit of the 37-year-old. So far the skipper only averages 17.35 from his 15 T20I appearances. Despite dwelling himself in the top order, Craig has just scored a single fifty in 2022. That’s why unsurprisingly, this ICC T20I edition could be his last.

Nonetheless, if Craig says goodbye to T20Is then he will finish as the fourth-highest scorer for ZIM. As of now, this veteran has appeared in 49 T20Is scoring 1020 runs including 5 fifties.