The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on Saturday. The league has evolved significantly over the years, and its impact on the cricketing landscape is extensive, warranting a detailed exploration. Several players have experienced the journey of the IPL, whether from its inception or its formative years. Consequently, this season may mark the final appearances of some of these cricketing legends.

Let us examine a few players who might be making their last appearances in the IPL this season:

MS Dhoni: Undoubtedly the most prominent name on this list, yet it remains uncertain whether Dhoni will indeed retire this season. The 2023 season was widely perceived as a farewell for him, particularly after he led the Chennai Super Kings to their fifth league title. However, he returned the following year as a wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman, having transferred the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK retained him prior to the mega auction last November, thanks to a modification in IPL regulations regarding uncapped players, which has since been informally referred to as the 'MS Dhoni rule.'

It is important to highlight that Dhoni managed to contribute to the team's efforts last season in various ways. His wicketkeeping skills remained sharp, and he batted as low as No. 8, successfully hitting most of the limited deliveries he faced for boundaries. Although the 43-year-old scored only 161 runs, he achieved this at an impressive strike rate of 220.54 and an average of 53.66 over 11 innings.

Faf Du Plessis: The former captain of South Africa is expected to be one of the fittest athletes in the league as he represents the Delhi Capitals this season. In recent years, he has transformed into an exceptional big-hitting T20 opener. Throughout his ten IPL seasons from 2012 to 2022, Du Plessis maintained a strike rate of over 140 in only one season. However, by the conclusion of the 2023 season, his strike rate had risen to 153.68 across 14 matches, and it further improved to 161.62 in 15 matches by the end of the 2024 season.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that Du Plessis is now 40 years old. The IPL can be unforgiving to older players who fail to perform, as evidenced by the case of IPL veteran David Warner, who went unsold in the recent auction. Despite Du Plessis's impressive performance as both a batsman and captain for RCB over the past two years, he was released prior to the mega auction. Should he struggle to make an impact for DC this season, it would not be surprising if he is not retained and remains unsold in the following season.

David Miller: Miller experienced a revival in his career after joining the Gujarat Titans, playing a crucial role in their title-winning debut season and their subsequent journey to the final the following year. However, his performance last year was below par, contributing to GT's eighth-place finish, which led to his non-retention.

This season, he will be playing for the Lucknow Super Giants. Miller demonstrated his capabilities during South Africa's Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand, where he scored an impressive unbeaten 100 off 67 balls, despite the loss. Similar to Du Plessis, Miller is also facing the reality of being 35 years old, with his 36th birthday approaching in June. A disappointing season could jeopardize his position in the team for the next year, leaving his future dependent on the dynamics of the auction market.

Ravichandran Ashwin: It might be assumed that Ashwin would prefer to spend a few more productive years with CSK before retiring, yet his unexpected retirement from Test cricket late last year took many by surprise. His three-year tenure with the Rajasthan Royals concluded when the franchise opted not to retain him prior to the mega-auction, leading to his signing with CSK, the team where he initially gained prominence from 2009 to 2015.

CSK typically does not easily part ways with their veteran players, suggesting that a lackluster season for Ashwin this year may not necessarily signal the end of his second tenure with the five-time champions. However, the situation could change if the 38-year-old feels he has reached his limit. Notably, he remained a crucial asset to the Indian Test team in home conditions when he made the decision to retire.

Mohit Sharma: Mohit Sharma played a vital role in the Gujarat Titans' remarkable second season in the IPL, following a disappointing previous year in which they finished eighth, resulting in his non-retention before the mega auction. He is now set to join the Delhi Capitals under the leadership of Axar Patel.

Having been somewhat overlooked, Mohit made a significant comeback by taking an impressive 27 wickets at an average of just 13.37 in the 2023 IPL, helping GT secure the title. In the subsequent season, he averaged 32.69 and claimed 13 wickets. Now at 36 years of age, a subpar season with DC could cast uncertainty on his future in the league.

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