Though IPL is seen as a platform for the rising stars in cricket but it also gives fans an opportunity to have a glimpse of their favourite stars who have retired. Here is a list of top 5 retired cricketers to feature in this season.
Number 5: Dale Steyn (RCB)
They say that the shelf life of a fast bowler isn't beyond 35 years but Dale Steyn is determined to disprove the common notion. Just like his international career, Steyn's IPL career has too been injury-prone and the pacer has played just 9 IPL games since 2015. He was forced to withdraw from the last edition as well due to injury but he made an impact in the 2 games he played and picked 4 crucial wickets.
Number 4: Shane Watson (CSK)
The only veteran of the mighty Aussie team of the 2000s to still feature in the IPL is Shane Watson. With few key members of the Chennai Super Kings having withdrawn from the league, Watto's role becomes even more crucial. In the 2 seasons he has played for CSK, Watson has smashed 398 and 555 runs. It includes 2 centuries in the 2018 edition with one of it coming in the final.
Number 3: AB de Villiers (RCB)
IPL will be a perfect platform to assess the form of someone like AB de Villiers who has expressed his willingness to come out of retirement to be a part of South Africa's World T20 squad. After Virat, RCB's hopes usually depend on ABD and Mr. 360 has very often helped his side over the finish line from an unthinkable position. He is the only batsman to have a strike rate of over 150 among players to have played over 150 IPL games. Apart from that de Villiers has smashed 212 sixes in the cash-rich league, 2nd most in the history of IPL.
Number 2: Chris Gayle (KXIP)
Talking about clearing the rope and no one does it with more ease than the Caribbean powerhouse Chris Gayle. The Jamaican tops the list with 326 sixes in the IPL. If he gets going with KL Rahul for Kings XI Punjab at the top, any ground can become a bowlers' graveyard. Gayle has smashed 490 and 368 runs in the 2 seasons he has played for Punjab and despite being 40, there's hardly a chink in his armour. Gayle also holds the record for most IPL centuries with 6 tons so far.
Number 1 : MS Dhoni (CSK)
One player who usually featured in most top batsmen lists over the years is MS Dhoni. Never the less, Dhoni still has a lot to offer despite retiring from international cricket. With CSK going through a crisis, Captain cool is probably what the doctor ordered for the yellow brigade. Dhoni has not only led CSK to 3 IPL titles but has also been their batting powerhouse. He is the second-highest run-getter for CSK, scoring 4432 runs at a healthy average of over 42. Dhoni has smashed over 400 runs at a staggering strike rate in each of the last 2 editions of the IPL, which shows that he is ageing just like a fine wine.