Of the three formats of the game, the ODI format is the most vulnerable to less viewership. Barring the ICC events, there is very little entertainment value associated with the format. Recently, 2019 ODI World Cup winner Ben Stokes announced retirement only from ODI cricket. This proves the priority of the format from a player’s perspective. As per the views of many experts, many players could emulate Ben Stokes in the coming months. The next big 50-over event is the 2023 World Cup. We could expect many retirements after the event. On that note, in the below sections, we look at five players who could shockingly retire from ODIs after the 2023 ODI World Cup.
1) Hardik Pandya – India
In one of the recent interviews, former India Head Coach Ravi Shastri claimed that Hardik Pandya could be one of the big names to quit ODI cricket in the coming months. He said that Hardik has had his injury issues and he might pick the formats most suitable to his body and aspirations.
Since the next ODI World Cup is in India, Hardik will want to feature in it. India would also need him because of the balance he adds to the setup. However, after that, it could be hard for him to play ODIs, especially if a Test return also happens. Maybe, offering him limited-overs captaincy is one of the factors that might make Hardik stick to both the shorter formats.
2) Trent Boult – New Zealand
Trent Boult is another all-format cricketer who could step aside from ODIs after the mega-event next year. He is needed in the Test squad and for his own future, Boult would want to be a part of T20Is, as well.
This will leave ODIs with very little to offer for the Kiwi. Considering his age in mind, Boult could take the decision to retire from ODIs. It could turn out to be shocking because of the impact he has had so far.
3) Ravindra Jadeja – India
Ravindra Jadeja is one of the players who could shockingly retire from ODIs after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Similar to Hardik, Jadeja also suffers from injuries very often. This might be the main reason for him to consider retirement from ODIs.
From the team’s perspective, as well, looking past Jaddu in ODIs could be an objective. Jadeja, these days, usually does not complete his 10-over quota in ODIs. With this missing, it might be better to invest in someone like Axar Patel or Shahbaz Ahmed for the future.
4) Mitchell Starc – Australia
Mitchell Starc is the sixth highest wicket-taker in ODIs for Australia, so far. The player has been influential in the team’s success over the past few years.
However, Starc’s impact has been reducing in recent months. While his trademark powerplay wickets have gone down in number, the death overs haven’t yielded the best returns for the Aussie. Also, it is unsure if he would be fit until the 2027 World Cup. Therefore, he might retire from ODIs and switch to being an active part of T20 cricket.
5) Anrich Nortje – South Africa
Anrich Nortje is also one of the players who could shockingly retire from ODIs after the 2023 ODI World Cup. At the moment, the South African speedster has played an almost equal amount of Test and ODI games. This paints a good picture of the current context.
While Nortje is extremely important in South Africa’s five-day format squad, he is also essential to the T20 unit. Cricket South Africa is having its own T20 league soon and it is important that one of its star players is an active part of it. In recent months, Nortje has been vulnerable to injuries. To avoid this, it would not be a surprise if he quits ODIs next year.
