Best XI made up of players that are unlikely to play in World Cup 2023

Donning the nation's colors at the grandest carnival in world cricket - the World Cup - is the dream of every cricketer. After the end of the 2019 edition, which saw England better New Zealand in a breathtaking final to win their maiden World Cup title, a number of teams have already begun preparing for the quadrennial event that is scheduled to take place in 2023.

The 2023 World Cup will be hosted by India, and there are bound to be many fresh faces participating in that event.

Age is one of the many important factors that can put the brakes on any athlete's career, irrespective of how talented they are. And there are several accomplished cricketers who will likely not feature in the 2023 World Cup due to that factor. While some of them have already pulled the plug on their ODI career, others are on the verge of doing so.

On that note, let's take a look at the greatest XI of players that are unlikely to play in World Cup 2023.

#1 Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla's inability to rise to the occasion in World Cup 2019 was one of the many reasons behind South Africa's early exit. The veteran was able to amass just 203 runs in 7 innings at an average of 40.6, with a sub-standard strike rate to boot.

Many had predicted that the recently-concluded World Cup would be Amla's last international assignment, but it looks like he is not ready to call it a day. After their 9-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the World Cup, South Africa's skipper Faf du Plessis stated:

“He (Amla) said he wants to keep going, so I think, you leave it to a great player to make that decision himself.”

Amla is currently 36 years old; by the time the next World Cup starts, he would be entering his 40s. It is highly unlikely that he will be able to continue till then.

#2 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle had already announced back in March that he planned to retire following the Cricket World Cup. However, he back-pedaled on that decision a couple of days ago.

The West Indies selectors gave Gayle a place in the one-day squad to face India in a three-match series on Friday. But Gayle is 39 years old as of now, and it would be a stretch for him to play in the 2023 considering he would be 43 then.

#3 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis intimated his retirement plans when Australia toured South Africa in November 2018, stating that the upcoming T20 World Cup could be the last international assignment for him.

"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I’m really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said.

Even if the South African skipper prolongs his career following the tournament in Australia, he is unlikely to have enough gas to last until 2023.

#4 Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor has previously revealed that he loves playing for New Zealand and will not sacrifice that to play in franchise-based T20 leagues. Taylor is one of the few mainstays of the Kiwi batting lineup, and it will take time for New Zealand to discover a batsman of his stature.

In all likelihood, the 35-year-old will continue playing for his national side until the T20 World Cup next year, and decide on his future after that.

#5 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik

Like several other cricketers, Shoaib Malik announced his retirement from ODI following the World Cup 2019. The 37-year-old all rounder only got to play three matches in the entire tournament as he couldn't bring his A game, managing just 8 runs with two ducks.

However, Malik has stated that he will continue to play in the T20 format, which is his forte.

#6 MS Dhoni (c & wk)

MS Dhoni

While MS Dhoni may have not called it quits yet, this was most certainly his last appearance for India in the ODI World Cup. Dhoni recently began his two-month training with Indian Army's Parachute Regiment, and will thus not be available for India's tour of West Indies.

As things stand, Dhoni will hope to feature in the T20 World Cup next year before calling a halt to his glittering career once and for all.

#7 JP Duminy

JP Duminy

JP Duminy has been one of the few constants in South Africa's middle order over the past decade. But after the World Cup he brought down the curtains on his ODI career, just like he promised in March.

#8 Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Just months before the start of World Cup 2019, Dale Steyn made a comeback in the ODI format after about two years away. However, he was ruled out of the tournament without playing a single match, due to another injury.

With the pacer already 36 years old, this was likely his last chance to play a World Cup match for his national side.

#9 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga bowed out of the ODI format after Friday’s match against Bangladesh. Malinga was one of the few bright spots in the chaotic Sri Lankan squad at World Cup 2019.

Having taken 338 wickets, Malinga departs from the format as the ninth-highest wicket-taker in history.

#10 Mashrafe Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza is another maestro who is unlikely to play in the next World Cup. He is 35 years old at the moment and is already finding it hard to cope with the health issues that come along with age.

Despite being the skipper and an old hand, Mortaza was an unobtrusive presence in the World Cup 2019 and only managed a solitary wicket in the entire tournament.

#11 Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir

It is unfortunate that a talent as remarkable as Imran Tahir made his international debut when he was already on the wrong side of 30. Nevertheless, it was an absolute treat to watch him for as long as his career lasted.

Tahir was the oldest cricketer in the World Cup 2019 and has already announced his retirement from ODI cricket - although he has not yet given up on the T20 World Cup next year.