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R Ashwin To Gautam Gambhir: MS Dhoni's Contemporary IPL Greats Who Retired Before Him

Debashis Sarangi

Players who retired before Dhoni ft. Ashwin and ABD [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @StanMSD/X]Players who retired before Dhoni ft. Ashwin and ABD [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @StanMSD/X]

In a significant development, veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. Ashwin, who bid adieu to international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is all set to kickstart the second innings of his career. 

Ashwin's retirement is not surprising, although he has been a vital member of the Chennai Super Kings setup over the years. While the off-spinner has hung up his boots, CSK legend MS Dhoni is still going strong in the tournament. 

Hailed for his power-hitting and fitness, MS Dhoni has been the face of the IPL since its inception in 2008. However, while he still remains an active participant, several players who started with or after him retired from the IPL before him. 

Kieron Pollard: 2010-2022

Kieron Pollard [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]Kieron Pollard [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]

  • Unlike MS Dhoni, who started his IPL career in 2008, Kieron Pollard played his first match in the lucrative tournament two years later, in 2010. 
  • He went on to become the Mumbai Indians' mainstay, forming their middle-order core alongside the match-winning duo of Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. 
  • Pollard played a pivotal role in powering MI to their first-ever title, scoring 60* runs off just 32 balls. He also scored 41 runs in the 2019 IPL final, which MI won by just one run. 
  • He is undoubtedly the biggest match-winner in MI's history, having been a part of their title-winning squad in five different seasons. However, a decline in his form led to Pollard's retirement from the IPL after the 2022 season. 

Shikhar Dhawan: 2008-2024

  • Talismanic Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan kick-started his IPL career in 2008 for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). The southpaw shifted his base to the Mumbai Indians in 2009 before becoming a key member of the Hyderabad-based franchise from 2011 to 2018. 
  • He also represented Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings in the IPL before hanging up his boots in 2024. Overall, Dhawan struck 6769 runs in the IPL, the third-most in the tournament history. 

AB de Villiers: 2008-2021

  • When we talk about batters who can play shots all around the park, AB de Villiers is the first name we consider. His incredible range and batting prowess against pace and spin make him one of the most talented players to have graced the IPL. 
  • Although De Villiers had his maiden IPL stint with Delhi, he's known as a legendary figure in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru setup. He formed a formidable batting trio with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, leading RCB to many memorable victories during his association with the franchise. 
  • Despite being capable of playing for a few more years, De Villiers decided to announce his retirement from the IPL after the 2021 season. 

Gautam Gambhir: 2008-2018

Gambhir retired from IPL after playing in 2018 season [Source: @Prat1k_/X]Gambhir retired from IPL after playing in 2018 season [Source: @Prat1k_/X]

  • Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni were introduced to the team India setup around the same time in the early 2000s. Both were marquee players in the inaugural IPL season, joining CSK and Delhi Daredevils, respectively. 
  • While Dhoni led CSK to five IPL titles, Gambhir emerged as the mastermind behind Kolkata Knight Riders' dominance in the mid-2010s, powering them to glory in 2012 and 2014. 
  • However, a decline in Gambhir's batting prowess prompted him to bid farewell to the IPL and embark on a career as a commentator and coach. 

Dwayne Bravo: 2008-2022

  • Dwayne Bravo is one of the most iconic players to have ever played for Chennai Super Kings. He was MS Dhoni's most potent weapon in the middle as well as the death overs, playing a crucial role for CSK in three title-winning campaigns in 2011, 2018, and 2021. 
  • Bravo, who is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 183 scalps, announced his retirement aged 39 after CSK's poor run in the 2022 season.