IPL 2019: 5 players who might be playing for the last time

It's the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League this year and it is all set to kick off on 23rd March. The most popular T20 league in the world is going ahead this year as per schedule despite the Indian General Elections and the World Cup taking place soon.

It is a surprise that BCCI decided to keep the tournament in India itself this time as the 2009 edition took place in South Africa while the 2014 edition was played in UAE – both because of the general elections.

More than anything, this year's IPL might be the ideal one for the youngsters as many senior players will be rested ahead of the World Cup. A few International stars, like Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc pulled out of the auctions to concentrate on the World Cup while there are suggestions that Indian players might be rested here and there during the tournament.

The move to rest players will also benefit a lot of cricketers who are in the final stages of their career. For many, this might be their last outing in the IPL and thus, we take a look at 5 such players who might just be playing in the league for the last time:

#5 – Harbhajan Singh

For many, it was a surprise to see CSK retaining Harbhajan Singh ahead of the 2019 IPL Auctions. The legendary spinner was one of the hot favourites to be dropped by the IPL title holders as he wasn't really effective for them.

Moreover, with so many good players in the auction available for grabs, fans expected CSK to shuffle things up. However, he was retained, but this might just be the final season for him.

The Turbanator got to play a lot of games last year after Kedar Jadhav's injury and with the all rounder fit this time around, it won't be a surprise to see him take his place back in the starting XI. Harbhajan has had a good run in the IPL but all good things must come to an end, and this might just be the last time we see the legendary spinner in the Indian Premier League.

#4 – Lasith Malinga

From one auction surprise to another. Mumbai Indians surprised everyone by picking Lasith Malinga duing the 2019 auctions – a few months after he went unsold.

The Sri Lankan is easily one of the best bowlers ever in the history of IPL but no one really expected him to get picked, especially because his base price was 2 crores! MI, however, had other plans and swooped for him as a perfect replacement for Mustafizur Rahman – who was coincidently bought as the Sri Lankan's replacement in the 2018 auctions.

Rumours suggest that Malinga will be retiring from International cricket after the 2019 World Cup and it won't be a surprise if this is his final IPL too. The 35-year-old might just go unsold in the next auction as well with MI going for someone younger and cheaper.

As for Malinga, he would be bowing out as the record wicket-taker in IPL and might return to MI as a mentor, just like he did during the 2018 edition.

#3 – Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir has already announced that he will be playing a lot of T20 leagues around the world after the 2019 World Cup but it would be a surprise if IPL is one of them. The South African revealed that he has a mutual understanding with the cricket board but will be playing T20 cricket for the country.

Tahir is a brilliant bowler and a valuable asset to the team he is in. But that was not the case when he played for Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 edition of IPL. The spinner picked up 6 wickets in 6 matches with an economy of 9.09 and an average of 22.26.

IPL franchises are always on the lookout to sign youngsters and plan for the future. With Tahir turning 40 this month, it wouldn't be a surprise if CSK let go of him before the 2020 auctions. This edition will be the South African's 6th and mostly final season in the league.

#2 – Shane Watson

Shane Watson is the only iffy name on this list. While he has been in fine form recently, it might just be his personal decision to decide not to play in the IPL anymore. The Aussie was terrific for CSK last season and one of the main reasons why they won the tournament.

Watson has retired from International cricket and is currently playing in T20 leagues around the world. The 37-year-old has shown that he still has a lot to offer but whether he will be willing to travel around the world to do so is the big question.

Chennai Super Kings might try and do all they can to retain him as he has proved that he can single handedly win matches for them. If he does decide to hang his boots, CSK might get him on board as a mentor, like Malinga at MI.

#1 – Yuvraj Singh

One last time. It looked like Yuvraj Singh was all set to go unsold in the auctions but Mumbai Indians signed him up after he was brought in for the 3rd time. CSK were the favourites to sign him as per rumours before the IPL Auctions but they did not make a single bid for him in the end.

The legendary Indian cricketer will be playing for his sixth IPL team this year and unless he manages to impress, this might just be his final one. He has been nowhere close to his best and was dropped by Kings XI Punjab last year.

He played 8 matches in the 2018 edition and managed to score just 65 runs. His strike rate was just 89.04 and his highest score was 20. As for his bowling, he got just 2 overs and went for 23 runs without a wicket.