Every World Cup could have a few players who know they may be playing their final ODI World Cup. For some, age could be the main reason. For others, the demands of international cricket or the rise of younger players could lead to retirement. The ICC World Cup 2027 is still some time away. However, several experienced players already look like they could retire soon after the WC 2027.
Some could retire from ODI cricket soon after the tournament. Others could see the World Cup as the final chapter of their long careers. Here are the 10 players most likely to retire from ODI cricket after the ICC World Cup 2027, ranked from No. 10 to No. 1.
10 Players Who Might Retire After the ICC World Cup 2027
Here are the 10 players discussed below.
10. Paul Stirling – Ireland
Current age: 35 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 37
Paul Stirling has been one of the biggest names in Irish cricket for more than a decade. The attacking opener has played a major role in Ireland’s success in limited-overs cricket.
Stirling will be 37 when the ICC World Cup 2027 arrives. That does not mean he has to retire. However, playing international cricket becomes harder as players get older.
If Ireland qualify and Stirling gets to play another World Cup, it could be the right time for him to end his ODI career.
9. Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe
Current age: 40 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 41
Sikandar Raza is one of the most interesting names on this list. He could play an important role for Zimbabwe if they reach the 2027 World Cup.
Raza is already 40. He remains an important all-rounder for Zimbabwe and contributes with both bat and ball. He also brings a lot of experience to the team.
If Raza plays at the ICC World Cup 2027, he will be around 41. At that age, the tournament could become a natural farewell for him.
A World Cup farewell would be a fitting end for one of Zimbabwe’s biggest modern cricket stars.
8. Mushfiqur Rahim – Bangladesh
Current age: 39 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 40
Mushfiqur Rahim has had a long career with Bangladesh. He has played alongside several generations of Bangladesh cricketers.
The wicketkeeper-batter has given Bangladesh a lot of experience, especially in ODI cricket. However, he will be around 40 by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives.
If Mushfiqur stays fit and continues to play ODIs, the tournament could give him one final chance to represent Bangladesh at a World Cup.
He is one of the strongest candidates for retirement after the 2027 tournament.
7. Adil Rashid – England
Current age: 38 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 39
Adil Rashid has been an important part of England’s white-ball success for many years.
The leg-spinner has played a key role in England’s limited-overs teams. However, age is now becoming an important factor. Rashid will be close to 40 during the 2027 World Cup.
Spinners may not face the same physical demands as fast bowlers, but playing international cricket at an older age is still difficult.
If Rashid reaches the 2027 World Cup, it could be the final major ODI tournament of his career.
6. Steve Smith – Australia
Current age: 37 | Potential age during 2027 World Cup: 38
Steve Smith is the most unusual name on this list.
Smith has already retired from ODI cricket. So why is he included here?
There is a chance that his ODI career could get one more chapter.
Australia will need to build its ODI middle order for the future. But if the team struggles for experience and consistency, Smith could become part of the discussion again.
If Smith returns from ODI retirement, gets back into the Australian team and makes the ICC World Cup 2027 squad, the tournament could become his final goodbye.
That would create a rare retirement-return-retirement story.
Smith would be around 38 during the tournament. If he makes an unexpected comeback, it would be hard to see him continuing for another four-year World Cup cycle.
5. Josh Hazlewood – Australia
Current age: 35 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 36
Australia’s fast-bowling attack could look very different after the ICC World Cup 2027.
Josh Hazlewood is already 35 and will be around 36 during the tournament. Fast bowlers face a lot of physical pressure. Pace, injuries, recovery, and workload become bigger concerns as they get older.
Australia also has a history of managing its senior players carefully across different formats.
Because of this, Hazlewood could be a strong retirement candidate after 2027.
If he stays fit for the tournament and helps Australia make another deep World Cup run, he could decide that it is time to make way for the next generation.
4. David Miller – South Africa
Current age: 37 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 38
David Miller could have one of the most special farewells on this list.
The South African left-hander will be around 38 when the ICC World Cup 2027 takes place. The tournament will also take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
That could make the tournament even more special for Miller. A World Cup in his home region could give him the perfect stage to finish his ODI career.
Miller has been part of South Africa’s white-ball setup for many years. He has seen both the good and difficult moments of playing for the Proteas.
If he retires after 2027, the timing could make sense. He would have a major home World Cup and a long international career behind him.
3. Mitchell Starc – Australia
Current age: 36 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 37
Mitchell Starc is one of the strongest retirement candidates on this list.
The left-arm fast bowler will be around 37 during the ICC World Cup 2027. Fast bowling at the highest level puts a lot of pressure on the body.
Starc has already spent years managing his workload across international cricket. By 2027, the question may not only be whether he can still bowl fast. It may also be whether he wants to continue with the physical demands of international cricket.
Like Hazlewood, Starc plays for an Australian system that carefully manages senior fast bowlers.
If Australia makes a deep run in the 2027 World Cup, Starc could decide that he has achieved enough and walk away.
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2. Virat Kohli – India
Current age: 37 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 38
Virat Kohli’s situation is different from most players on this list.
He has already indicated that the ICC World Cup 2027 will be his final World Cup for India.
Kohli has not said that he will definitely retire from ODI cricket immediately after the tournament. However, his future after 2027 will be very interesting.
If 2027 is his final World Cup, the next ODI World Cup will come in 2031. Kohli would be well into his 40s by then.
Continuing for another four years would therefore be a big decision.
That is why the 2027 World Cup could become the final stage of Kohli’s ODI career.
Indian fans could be watching one of the greatest ODI batters ever play his final World Cup match. However, they may not know if it will also be his final international appearance.
1. Rohit Sharma – India
Current age: 39 | Age during 2027 World Cup: 40
If Kohli’s future looks almost decided, Rohit Sharma’s case may be even clearer because of his age.
Rohit will be around 40 during the ICC World Cup 2027.
There have already been questions about whether he can reach the tournament because of his age and India’s changing ODI plans. If he does make the World Cup squad, simply reaching the tournament would be a big achievement.
For Rohit, 2027 could become the natural end of an excellent ODI career.
The four-year gap after the tournament is also important. Even if Rohit remains good enough to play international cricket in 2027, continuing until the next World Cup would mean playing deep into his 40s.
That makes retirement after the 2027 World Cup a very logical possibility.
And if India win the ICC World Cup 2027 on home soil, or make a deep run, Rohit could get the kind of ending that many great players dream about.
Conclusion
The ICC World Cup 2027 could become a major changing-of-the-guard moment in ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli has already given fans a big clue about his World Cup future. Rohit Sharma’s age makes his post-2027 future difficult to ignore. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and David Miller will also be entering the later stages of their careers.
Then there is Steve Smith. His situation could become very different if he returns from ODI retirement and makes Australia’s 2027 plans.
Other players could also retire after the tournament. Names such as Joe Root, Fakhar Zaman, and others could enter the discussion as well.
However, the 10 players above currently have the strongest combination of age, career stage, workload, and other factors pointing towards a possible post-World Cup retirement.
Which of these players do you think will actually play their final ODI match after the 2027 World Cup? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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