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12 Players Who Could Potentially Play Their Final Cricket World Cup In 2023

image-lk83fup9Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could play their last ICC WC this year [Source: Twitter]

The ICC Cricket World Cup is a 'quadrennial' event that brings cricketers from all over the globe to one place and fight it out for the coveted trophy. For a selected few, the WC provides an opportunity to grasp the title within their reach, while for many others, it will remain a distant dream.

The upcoming Cricket World Cup 2023 in India is not different, where cricketers from 10 nations will engage in an intense battle and get crowned as world champions. Every nation will brainstorm about their best playing XI and assemble on the field their most capable players, ranging from first-timers to old veterans. 

The WC perennially has been a start of a journey for many, but for a handful of players, it will be their last chance to shine and lighten the grandest stage there is in cricket. 

In this piece, we list potential players who could for the last time take centre stage in the World Cup for their respective nations. 

1.Rohit Sharma

image-lkaz5cyzRohit Sharma in action [Source: Twitter]

Current India all-format skipper Rohit Sharma will look to finish off in style and clinch his second World Cup title for India after winning the T20 WC in 2007. Sharma has lately battled injuries, which have kept the batter out of action in white-ball cricket, who will feature in his third WC this year.

In 243 ODIs, the 36-year-old has scored 9,825 runs with 30 tons and 48 fifties.  

2.Virat Kohli

image-lkaz6odiVirat Kohli has played 274 ODIs [Source: Twitter]

Former India captain Virat Kohli will be eager to win an ICC Trophy, having last tasted success in 2013. Kohli, 34, does have age and fitness on his side, but with the ever-growing demands and evolution in the game, the star batter could very well stick to one format in the coming times.

Kohli will appear in his fourth WC edition, having won the 2011 edition. In 274 ODIs, the Delhi-born has scored 12,898 runs with 46 100s and 65 50s. 

3.Ravichandran Ashwin

image-lkaz8wc0Ravichandran Ashwin last played an ODI in 2022 [Source: Twitter]

With India playing the upcoming CWC 2023 at home, Ravichandran Ashwin could be the hosts' trump card, given the spinner's experience.  Ashwin, 36, missed India's WC campaign in 2019 after the management decided to trust youngsters.

The off-spinner last played an ODI in 2022 and has featured in 113 matches, claiming 151 wickets. 

4.David Warner

image-lkaza32fDavid Warner finished the 2019 WC as second-highest run-getter [Source: Twitter]

Australia's David Warner has already mentioned that the upcoming CWC 2023 will be his last. Warner has been a backbone for Australia in World Cup campaigns, having won the 2015 edition and finishing the 2019 CWC as the second-highest run-getter. 

In 142 ODIs, the 36-year-old has amassed 6,030 runs with 25 tons and 35 half-centuries.

5.Steve Smith

image-lkazcp9bSteven Smith with 2015 WC trophy [Source: Twitter]


A vital cog in Australia's batting,will be crucial for the team to win in India, given his performances in the subcontinent. Smith, who was a member of Australia's 2015 World Cup winning XI, will be playing his fourth edition, having made his tournament debut in 2011. 

In 142 ODIs, the 34-year-old has scored 4,939 runs with 12 tons and 29 fifties., which is well below his standards. 

6.Mitchell Starc

image-lkazetj0Mitchell Starc won the 2015 WC with Australia [Source: Twitter]

One of the best exponents of swing bowling, the upcoming edition of the CWC 2023 could very well be the last time Mitchell Starc slays in white-ball cricket. Starc, who claimed 22 wickets in the 2015 edition, has been troubled with injuries lately and will be eager to make his third appearance a memorable one. 

The 33-year-old in 110 ODIs, has scalped 219 wickets since 2010. 

7.Trent Boult

image-lkazi2plTrent Boult has two ODI hat-tricks [Source: Twitter]

Despite not having a central contract, pacer Trent Boult is a surety in the upcoming CWC 2023 in India. The left-arm pacer came close as many as two times to clinching the WC trophy, but the title slipped out of New Zealand's hand on both occasions. 

Boult, 33, will want his third WC appearance to be lucky, having played 99 ODIs since 2012, claiming 187 wickets. 

8.Tim Southee

image-lkazkyb4Tim Southee claims Joe Root's wicket in 2015 WC [Source: Twitter]

Boult's partner-in-crime over the years, Tim Southee will turn up for his fourth CWC edition, having played in 2011 as well. Southee despite having his pace dip considerably, can use his experience and knowledge in Indian conditions to good use.

In 154 ODIs, the 34-year-old has scalped 210 wickets, out of which 25 have come in India.

9.Tamim Iqbal

image-lkazlwixTamim Iqbal first featured in CWC in 2007 [Source: Twitter]

Bangladesh's premier batter, Tamim Iqbal reversed his international retirement in July following persuasion from the nation's Prime Minister. Iqbal has been the cornerstone of Bangladesh's batting since making his debut in 2007.

This will be the 34-year-old's fifth World Cup tournament edition, making him one of the most experienced amongst all cricketers. In 241 ODIs, Iqbal has scored 8,313 runs with 14 tons and 56 half-centuries. 

10.Shakib Al Hasan

image-lkaznvewShakib Al Hasan scored 600+ runs in CWC 2019 [Source: Twitter]

Bangladesh Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan has been an influential figure in the sport, having played for almost 17 years. Hasan's real impact was in the 2019 WC edition, where the all-rounder slammed 606 runs for Bangladesh, including two centuries.

Overall, Hasan has featured in four editions between 2007 and 2019. In 235 ODIs, the 36-year-old has scored 7,211 runs and claimed 305 wickets, making him an all-time great. 

11.Angelo Mathews

image-lkazqqrsAngelo Mathews slams a ton in CWC 2019 [Source: Twitter]

A crucial member of Sri Lanka's one-day outfit, former skipper Angelo Mathews's tryst with WC started as early as 2011 when the Lankan Lions reached the finals. The all-rounder found success in the 2019 edition, scoring 244 runs, with the bowling remaining on the back burner. 

Mathews, who will turn up for Sri Lanka for his fourth WC appearance in 221 ODIs has accumulated 5,865 runs and picked up 120 wickets. 

12.Sarfaraz Ahmed 

image-lkazrbwcSarfaraz Ahmed led Pakistan in 2019 CWC [Source: Twitter]

Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed could very well be key to Pakistan's triumph in the upcoming WC in India. Ahmed, who has struggled to keep his place in the XI, is known to be a grafter and has a superior ability to play spin as compared to other batters. 

The 36-year-old first played in 2015 and then led the nation in a disappointing 2019 WC edition, finishing fifth. In 117 ODIs, Ahmed has scored 2,315 runs out of which 1,042 runs have come in Asian conditions.