IPL 2021 had to be indefinitely postponed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision shook the plans off many teams and players. Certain players were looking at IPL 2021 as their last hurrah. Players who have delayed their retirement. They had plans to retire post the 14th season. But all of it has come unstuck for them with the side postponement.
StumpsandBails looks at 4 players who had to delay their retirement owing to the sudden postponement of IPL 2021:
#4 Dan Christian
Players who have delayed their retirement due to IPL postponement. Dan Christian made a lot of head turn in this year’s Big Bash League. RCB invested heavily in Christian and picked him for INR 4.8 crores. But Christian looked completely out of sorts in IPL 2021. He was supposed to be RCB’s finisher but he could muster just 3 runs in 3 games. Christian couldn’t bag a single wicket. It is about time he bid goodbye to the IPL. The postponement has only delayed the inevitable.
#3 Kedar Jadhav
The fact that Kedar Jadhav earned an IPL contract this season came as a surprise to many. SRH bagged Jadhav in the rapid auctions in 2021. But Jadhav continued to look rusty on the field. He looked out of depth in the game against RR chasing a huge total. As the next auction is supposed to be a mega auction we can’t find a reason why teams will want to have Jadhav in their squad. IPL 2021 will be Jadhav’s last hurrah.
#2 Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh is one of the leading spinners in the IPL. He has represented 3 teams in the IPL so far. CSK released Singh ahead of IPL 2021. KKR bought him in the auctions. It was widely speculated that Bhajji (as he is fondly called) might end his IPL career this season. But the league’s postponement might have delayed Bhajji’s impending decision to leave the game.
#1 MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is probably the biggest name on this list. Not many expected Dhoni to feature in IPL 2021 itself. But Dhoni did surprise many with his eagerness to play in the 2021 edition. Dhoni looked more alert and aware this season as compared to the dismal performance last season. But carrying on for a year more seems to be stretching the issue far too long even for a player like Dhoni. In all likelihood he will be calling it quits at the end of IPL 2021. He would have already if not for the league’s postponement.
