IPL 2019: 4 players who might be playing their last IPL

IPL 2019 is around the corner and there is a lot of buzz and excitement regarding the current Indian players and players who are making their debut. Since last year, franchises are looking to recruit talented youngsters in place of players who have been playing the IPL for a long period of time.

Here we look at some big players who might be playing their last IPL this year.

---

#1 Yuvraj Singh

The Indian superstar needs no introduction. He has been one of the most destructive left-handed batsmen India has ever produced. He has been instrumental in many of India's famous wins like the NatWest Final, World T20 title in 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cup.

In the IPL, Yuvraj Singh has been a part of as many as 6 teams like Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors India, Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils), Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and would be playing for Mumbai Indians this year. He has been a hot commodity amongst IPL teams and has been receiving huge sums of money by the teams. He was bought at a whopping price of Rs 14 crores by RCB in 2014, which was bettered by Delhi in 2015 where they paid 16 crores for his services.

But his stocks after the IPL 2015 have taken a downfall. He was bought by SRH at a price of 7 crores in 2016 and by KXIP for a price of Rs 2 crores in 2018. He had a horrid time in the last IPL where he just scored 64 runs in 7 matches, which led to KXIP to release him the following year.

This year he would be playing for the Mumbai Indians who bought him in the third round of auction at a price of just Rs 1 crore. If he does not have a decent IPL, we might not see him return again for the next year.

#2 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

Another Indian superstar who is at the end of his career is veteran off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has played 103 Tests and 236 ODI's for India in a career spanning 17 years. He has also played 28 T20I's for India

In the IPL, he played for Mumbai Indians from 2008-17 after which the team decided to part ways with him. He was purchased by Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 IPL Auction.

However his wicket taking ability has taken a drastic hit for the past 3 seasons. He has picked up 9, 8 and 7 wickets in the last seasons and was mostly seen as a bowler who would bowl economic spells for his team. But last year, he was not effective on that front too and had an economy of 8.48 in the IPL. Another lean season could see Chennai Super Kings parting ways with him.

#3 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga has been the most successful bowler in IPL history. With 154 wickets in 110 matches at an average of 19.01 and economy of 6.86, these are some mind boggling stats by the veteran.

However, with age catching up to him, Malinga is not as effective as he used to be. He was out of international cricket for a long time due to injury issues which resulted in a dip in form as well. The Mumbai Indians thus did not retain him as a player for 2018 season but acquired his services as a bowling mentor.

However, he has overcome the injury issues in recent times and played for Sri Lanka in the past year, showing glimpses of his past self. Thus Mumbai have bought him back as a player who can play a mentor role as well for young bowlers like Behrendorff and Milne. He might not play all the matches but would hope for a final hurrah with the Mumbai Indians.

#4 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle, fondly known as 'The Universe Boss', has been a superstar of the IPL. Having played starting seasons for KKR, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore as an injury replacement and the rest as they say is history. He had 3 successful stints at RCB which were followed by a not-so-good return in the next 3 editions by his high standards.

Due to his fitness concerns and a dip in form, RCB decided to release him in the mega auction and he nearly went unsold when KXIP bought him at the last second. He had a fruitful year with Punjab in 2018 where he scored 368 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 146 with a best of 104 not out.

He has been in tremendous form recently for the Windies in the series against England but he has announced his retirement from ODI after the World Cup.

One might feel that with his age we might not see him in the next IPL.