5 legends who could retire after 2019 World Cup

The different teams are already in the process of figuring out their best possible squads for the World Cup which is slated to be held next year in England.

While several players select themselves in the different teams, there will be players who might just call it a day after the competition.

They will a key component of their respective sides and will bring in much-needed experience to the scheme of things. However, irrespective of the result, the cricketing world might never witness them on the cricketing field after the edition draws to a close.

Here in this slider, we take a look at five such legends who might bid adieu to the game after the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

#5 Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Perhaps the greatest bowler in the shortest format of the game, Lasith Malinga has been out of favour with the Sri Lankan selectors in the recent past. He has made his ambitions very clear and wants to be a part of the 2019 World Cup.

Sri Lanka could also rope him in as he brings experience to the table, but owing to his injury concerns and not very effective wicket-taking abilities, Malinga could well quit playing the game after the tournament gets over.

#4 Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

The New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor is a critical part of their batting line-up and is a fulcrum in the middle order around which the entire batting rotates.

He has been in decent touch against the white ball and will be a key element for the Blackcaps in their World Cup campaign next year.

He will turn 35 next year and it might well be his last attempt to win this coveted trophy for his country after New Zealand fell short in the finals in 2015 against Australia.

#3 Shoaib Malik

The Pakistan veteran has been irreplaceable for the side in white ball cricket and with his experience and all-round abilities, has become a vital element in Pakistan's limited-overs ambitions.

However, he might well call it a day after the 2019 World Cup and while this would be a huge vacuum in Pakistan cricket, this decision will have to be made to make way for younger talent coming through.

Also, he will turn 37 next year and the time is ripe for him to step down and allow others to take up the mantle.

#2 Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle returned to the Windies outfit after brief trouble with the management and was critical to their qualification in the World Cup.

However, despite all his flamboyance and pedigree, he might step away from 50-over cricket as he is a hot property all across the world in the T20 version and focusing on only one format will keep him sharp for T20s.

Having said this, Gayle might well be the key factor to West Indies' performance in the World Cup and this will motivate him to put his best foot forward.

#1 MS Dhoni (India)

Perhaps the biggest name in Indian cricket, MS Dhoni is fit enough to be a potent part of the Indian squad next year and his form in the Indian Premier League is proof enough that his game is still sharp.

However, the 2011 World Cup winning captain might well stop post the 2019 version and walk away from the game on his own terms.

Dhoni will be Kohli's go-to man whenever the going gets tough and there is arguably no better wicket-keeper batsman in the current game who can get the job done on a more consistent basis. However, despite his fitness and ability, he has to make way for a younger option after the World Cup.