By The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) could be the last game for several famous Indian cricket players. Many of these players have retired from international cricket but are still playing in the IPL. Here are the important players whose tournament careers may be coming to an end soon:
Veterans are likely to be playing in their last IPL.
Senior players are likely to play their final IPL season.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, 43, is a legendary figure in the IPL, having led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles and two Champions League trophies. Despite his tactical prowess, age-related fitness issues have reduced his batting and wicket-keeping efforts in recent years. With Ruturaj Gaikwad currently the captain of CSK, there is conjecture that Dhoni’s retirement season may be in 2025.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli withdrew from Twenty20 Internationals after helping India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, although he continues to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli’s presence as RCB’s talismanic player and the IPL’s leading run-scorer remains critical, but his international retirement suggests that his IPL career may be coming to an end.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, another crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup victory last year, withdrew from Twenty20 Internationals after the competition. While he continues to captain the Mumbai Indians (MI), his advanced age and preference for other formats indicate that this could be his final IPL season.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja resigned from T20Is following India’s World Cup victory, although he remains a key member of CSK. Jadeja’s future in the IPL may be determined by his ability to manage the format’s physical demands.
R Ashwin After a decade-long absence, Ashwin rejoined CSK and retired from international cricket. His involvement in CSK this season appears to be a farewell tour for one of India’s best spinners.
Factors Contributing to Potential Farewells
Physical demands of the IPL, including intense travel itineraries and high-pressure matches, pose a challenge for veteran players like Dhoni and Ashwin.
Teams like CSK and MI are shifting leadership roles to younger players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suryakumar Yadav, potentially allowing senior players to step down. Additionally, veterans who have won ICC tournaments and IPL titles may choose 2025 to retire on a high note.
While nothing is confirmed yet, 2025 could be a pivotal year, marking the end of an era for some of Indian cricket’s most celebrated icons in the IPL. Fans will undoubtedly cherish every moment these legends continue contributing to the field.
