CWC 2019: Five teams who would want to give a player a fitting farewell

The 12th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be played from 30 May to 14 July 2019. England & Wales would host the spectacular cricketing tournament. Winning the World Cup is not just an honor for a particular team but also for the nation the team represents.

Every player has a huge responsibility as they play for the pride of their country. Using the World Cup platform, normal human beings etch their names in the history books of their respective countries.

World Cup-winning players are regarded as national heroes in their countries. However, name and fame are not the only things for which each team would want to win the grand tournament. They also play for legacy.

Cricket is a team sport where relative youngsters and experienced veterans play together. People in the twilight of their careers pass on the knowledge to the younger players. The careers of many youngsters get built by the guidance of the senior players. These young players have a lot of respect and love for such mentors.

There are some legendary players would be playing their final World Cup this year. Winning the World Cup is the best way a team can give their legends a fitting send-off. Thus, the respective sides will be having extra motivation to win the coveted trophy. Here is a look at five legends for whom their teams would love to give a memorable farewell.

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#5 West Indies: Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle is the most experienced West Indies player in the 2019 World Cup. The 39-year-old will be making a record fifth World Cup appearance during the upcoming edition.

The Universe Boss needs just 253 runs to overtake Brain Lara's record and become the leading ODI run scorer for the Caribbean side. During the previous World Cup, Gayle became the first West Indies player to score an ODI double hundred.

All the players would undoubtedly consider Gayle as an inspiration and a hero. They would surely give their everything to win the coveted trophy as a gesture of thanksgiving for Gayle's immense contribution over the years.

#4 New Zealand: Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor is the all-time leading ODI run-scorer and century maker for the New Zealand side. During the 2019 World Cup, the 35-year-old will be just the seventh New Zealander to make four World Cup appearances.

On many occasions, Taylor's calm and composed batting had been the saving grace for the Blackcaps. Without his stability, in the middle order, the team would've undoubtedly struggled in many instances.

Although Taylor doesn't fascinate by superhuman batting performances like Chris Gayle still the Kiwi fans have lots of respect for him due to his experience and contribution being vital for the New Zealand side over the years.

Even in the upcoming World Cup, Taylor along with Kane Williamson form the backbone of the New Zealand batting order. Thus, the team would heavily be depending on him for crucial runs. They would also like to gift him the coveted trophy as his World Cup adventures would come to an end with the 2019 edition.

#3 Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga had been with the Sri Lankan cricket team since 2004 and had been a consistent wicket-taker for them. As a bowler who bowls in-swinging yorkers around the speed of 140 km/h, Malinga demands batsmen to be extra cautious when he is at work.

The 2019 tournament would mark the fourth World Cup appearance for Malinga. The legendary pacer had been competing in World Cup tournaments since 2007 and had taken crucial wickets for the side.

Malinga made Sri Lankan cricket proud by becoming the first bowler to take two World Cup hat-tricks. As a captain, Malinga won the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 for the team. All these contributions added a lot of reputation to cricket in Sri Lanka. With age not on his side, Malinga may opt to retire after World Cup 2019.

The team failed to win the World Cup for their legendary bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in 2011. Thus, they would be heavily motivated to win it at least in 2019 for honoring the achievements of an exceptional bowler.

#2 Pakistan: Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik had been with Pakistan cricket team since 1999. To survive in a competitive game like cricket for two decades is not an easy thing. He had been a class act for the side all throughout his long, illustrious career.

The 37-year-old had been part of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning Pakistan side. He had also been with them when they lifted the Champions Trophy in 2017. Malik had even been a former skipper of the Pakistan national team.

Although, he is not in the form of his life still Malik is a vital member of the Pakistan World Cup squad. His guidance would be essential for the captain and the youngsters of the squad.

One of the interesting facts about Malik is that he made his ODI debut even before his fellow teammates Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Afridi were born. Thus, Malik would've certainly been an inspiration to them while growing up. Along with the team, the youngsters would certainly want their hero to be successful in his final World Cup.

#1 India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is perhaps the most experienced and successful cricketer to participate in the 2019 World Cup. This will be the fourth and final World Cup appearance for the former Indian captain. Dhoni is a national hero in India and is greatly admired.

In 2011, India won the World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar under the leadership of Dhoni. In 2019, they would want to do the same for honoring MSD. The 37-year-old is an inspiration for almost everyone in the Indian team just like Tendulkar was in 2011.

Under Dhoni's guidance, several players in the team have reached great heights. For instance, it was MSD who promoted Rohit Sharma as an opener and it paid rich dividends for the Hitman.

Undoubtedly, most of the players in the current squad would've somewhere been benefitted from the legend. Thus, the Indian players would be heavily motivated to win the World Cup and honor the legacy of Dhoni