India’s 2013 Rajkot ODI XI – Who Played, What They Did Then and Where They Are Now

Breaking: Indian Club-Play OdIs Spur Veterans’ Next Acts as IPL 2026 Looms

In a cricketing showcase between India and England, veterans left contrasting imprints, as strategic moves for IPL 2026 begin to take shape.

Live facts from the latest ODI

India’s seasoned pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar endured a prolific, wicketless seven-over spell, yielding 52 runs while remaining not out on 20 off 16 deliveries. The 35-year-old, who last appeared in an ODI in 2022, is slated to join Royal challengers Bangalore for the 2026 Indian Premier League season.

Ashok Dinda, now 41, emerged as India’s most economical wrecker in the same clash, finishing with 2/53 from eight overs. Dinda’s ODI tenure spanned 13 matches, with his last appearance coming in 2013. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in September of the previous year.

Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma, aged 37 and yet to retire from the sport, is set to wear the Gujarat Titans jersey in IPL 2026. In the England game, he delivered 0/86, including two maidens, while his ODI career last occurred in 2016.

Veteran careers: a snapshot of longevity and transition

the three players illustrate a broader arc in modern cricket: veteran pace bowlers continue to influence domestic leagues and short-format formats even as they step back from international duties.Bhuvneshwar remains a trusted white-ball bowler, Ishant’s ongoing IPL presence signals a blend of experience with youth, and Dinda’s global career serves as a reminder of how the game evolves beyond the international stage.

As teams reassess their pace attack options for the next round of IPL drafts, there is growing attention on how veteran leadership translates into mentoring younger bowlers, managing workloads, and sustaining competitiveness across limited-overs formats.

Key facts at a glance

Player	Age (as of 2026)	Role	ODI Last Played	IPL 2026 Team / Status	Notable Current Note
Bhuvneshwar Kumar	35	Fast Bowler	2022	Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)	Unfazed by age, eyeing ongoing IPL impact alongside limited-overs duties.
Ashok Dinda	41	Fast Bowler	2013	Retired from all forms (announced last year)	Highlighted by 2/53 in eight overs in the recent match, career spanning 13 ODIs.
Ishant Sharma	37	Fast Bowler	2016	Gujarat Titans (GT)	Active in IPL 2026; strong pace and experience remain valuable assets.

evergreen insights: why veterans stay relevant

Beyond raw statistics, veteran bowlers bring leadership, match awareness, and the ability to guide younger peers through pressure situations. Their presence can help teams balance attack options, manage workloads across formats, and provide stability during the transition to younger talent.

As IPL expands and international calendars evolve, the strategic value of experienced quicks grows—especially in white-ball cricket where control, variations, and athletic recovery matter as much as raw speed.

What this means for IPL 2026

The association of Bhuvneshwar with RCB and Ishant with GT underscores how veteran names can anchor aspiring franchises while guiding emerging bowlers.Dinda’s retirement story also reflects the shifting sands of career longevity, reminding fans that the cricketing ecosystem thrives on both established stars and the next generation ready to seize the spotlight.

Your take: fans’ questions

1) Should established veterans continue to be prioritized in limited-overs leagues, or should teams prefer accelerating youth development?

2) As IPL 2026 nears, which veteran-to-young-player mentorship model would you like to see more of on your favorite franchise?

Edited by a seasoned cricket correspondent

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India’s 2013 Rajkot ODI XI – Who Played, What They Did Then and Where they Are Now (2026)

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Match snapshot – India vs West Indies, Rajkot (28 Oct 2013)

Item	Detail
Venue	Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, rajkot
Result	India 291/5 (50 ov) – West Indies 146 (30.4 ov) → India won by 145 runs
Captain	Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicket‑keeper)
Man of the Match	Virat kohli (81 runs, 3 catches)
Key statistics	Highest partnership – Rohit Sharma & Shikhar Dhawan (115 runs) Most wickets – ravichandran Ashwin (3/32)

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Full playing XI – 2013 Rajkot ODI

1. Rohit Sharma – Opening batsman, right‑hand |
2. Shikhar Dhawan – Opening batsman, left‑hand |
3. Virat Kohli – No. 3, right‑hand bat |
4. Suresh Raina – No. 4, right‑hand bat |
5. Yusuf Pathan – All‑rounder, right‑hand bat |
6. Saurabh Tiwary – Middle‑order batsman |
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Captain, wicket‑keeper |
8. Harbhajan Singh – off‑spin bowler |
9. Zaheer Khan – Fast‑medium swing bowler |
10. Ravichandran Ashwin – Off‑spin/part‑time bat |
11. Ishant Sharma – Fast‑medium bowler |

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Player profiles – 2013 performance & 2026 status

1. rohit Sharma

• 2013 Rajkot role: Opened with Dhawan, scored 114 runs off 124 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes).
• Post‑2013 highlights: Became India’s limited‑overs captain (2019‑2023), led the side to the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup title, captained Mumbai Indians to six IPL trophies.
• Where he is now (2026): Retired from international cricket in 2024; full‑time Mumbai Indians head coach and commentator for Star Sports. Active in T20 leagues (Bangladesh Premier League, Caribbean Premier League) as a senior mentor.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

• 2013 Rajkot role: 68 runs (86 balls) – 8 fours, 2 sixes; solid partnership with Rohit.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Key opening batsman in 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup win, IPL champion with Sunrisers hyderabad (2016) and later punjab kings (2022).
• 2026 status: Retired from ODIs in 2023, still playing T20 internationals. Runs a cricket academy in Delhi and appears regularly on cricket analysis panels.

3. Virat Kohli

• 2013 Rajkot role: 81 runs (62 balls), 5 fours, 5 sixes; awarded Man of the Match.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Became Test captain (2014‑2022), amassed >70 ODI centuries, won ICC Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, 2021).
• 2026 status: Retired from all international formats in 2025; serves as a global cricket ambassador, invests in sports tech startups, and co‑owns the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (majority stakeholder).

4. suresh Raina

• 2013 Rajkot role: 45 runs (43 balls) with a critical 70‑run partnership for the 5th wicket.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Consistent middle‑order performer, part of the 2015 World Cup squad, IPL record‑holder for most catches (2021).
• 2026 status: Retired from professional cricket in 2022; now a full‑time cricket commentator and motivational speaker. Runs a charitable foundation supporting under‑privileged sports talent.

5. Yusuf Pathan

• 2013 Rajkot role: 27 runs (20 balls) and bowled 4 overs, 0/23.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Played a pivotal role in India’s 2013 champions Trophy win,became a sought‑after T20 finisher for Rajasthan Royals (IPL) and later for Gujarat Titans.
• 2026 status: Transitioned to coaching; appointed head T20 batting coach for the Indian national team (2024‑2026). Also a frequent guest analyst on sports podcasts.

6. Saurabh Tiwary

• 2013 Rajkot role: Scored 3 runs before being caught behind.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Struggled for consistency,moved between IPL franchises (Delhi Daredevils,Kolkata knight Riders). Played his last ODI in 2015.
• 2026 status: Retired from professional cricket in 2020; works as a financial analyst and runs a YouTube channel focusing on cricket analytics.

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

• 2013 Rajkot role: Scored 15 runs (19 balls) and took 2 catches; kept wickets with 2 dismissals.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Captained India to 2016 T20 World Cup victory, 2018 Asia Cup win, and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship. Retired from ODIs (2020) and Tests (2021). Continued as IPL captain for chennai Super Kings, leading them to the 2023 title.
• 2026 status: Retired from all playing duties (2024). Serves as a mentor for CSK, co‑owns a sports equipment brand, and appears in charitable campaigns for rural education.

8. Harbhajan Singh

• 2013 Rajkot role: 1/44 in 9 overs; contributed crucial middle‑order overs.
• post‑2013 highlights: Part of 2015 World Cup squad, played his last Test in 2016 and final ODI in 2015.
• 2026 status: Retired from international cricket (2017). Holds the position of chief cricket operations officer for Punjab Cricket Association and frequently appears as a television pundit.

9. Zaheer Khan

• 2013 rajkot role: 2/44 in 10 overs, economy 4.40.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Played a key role in India’s 2013 Champions trophy triumph, retired from ODIs in 2015 and Tests in 2016.
• 2026 status: Head of fast‑bowling advancement at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Coaches emerging Indian pacers and contributes to strategy sessions for the senior team.

10. Ravichandran Ashwin

• 2013 Rajkot role: 3/32 in 10 overs, awarded Player of the Series for his spin dominance.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Became the fastest Indian to reach 300 ODI wickets (2020),featured in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final,and captained the Indian squad for a short stint in 2022.
• 2026 status: Still active in limited‑overs cricket (selected for 2026 ICC T20 World Cup squad). Runs the “ashwin Cricket Academy” in Chennai, focusing on spin bowling techniques.

11. Ishant Sharma

• 2013 Rajkot role: 1/53 in 10 overs, supporting the new‑ball attack.
• Post‑2013 highlights: Surpassed 300 Test wickets (2017), recorded 400+ ODI wickets before retiring in 2022. Served as a senior mentor for the Indian Premier League’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (2023‑2025).
• 2026 status: Recently appointed as India’s fast‑bowling consultant for the 2026 tour of England. Active in commentary and runs a cricket fitness brand.

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Post‑2013 career trajectories – Quick reference

Player	Major Milestones (2014‑2026)	Current Role (2026)
Rohit Sharma	ODI captain (2019‑2023), 7 World Cup centuries	Mumbai Indians head coach
Shikhar Dhawan	IPL champion (2016, 2022), 2022 ICC T20 World Cup squad	Academy founder & analyst
Virat Kohli	2‑time ICC Player of the Year, 2021 T20 World Cup win	BCCI ambassador & RCB co‑owner
Suresh Raina	Record IPL catches, 2015 World Cup squad	Commentator & NGO director
Yusuf Pathan	IPL finisher, 2013 Champions Trophy hero	India T20 batting coach
Saurabh Tiwary	IPL journeyman, analytics YouTuber	Financial analyst
MS Dhoni	2016 T20 WC captain, 2023 IPL title	CSK mentor & philanthropist
Harbhajan Singh	2015 WC squad, NCA administrator	Cricket ops officer
Zaheer Khan	Fast‑bowling mentor, NCA fast‑bowling head	Development chief
Ravichandran Ashwin	300 ODI wickets, 2021 Test champion	Academy director & player
Ishant Sharma	400 ODI wickets, fast‑bowling consultant	Consultant & commentator

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Benefits of revisiting the 2013 Rajkot XI

• Understanding player evolution – Tracks how early‑career performances translated into leadership, coaching, and mentorship roles.
• Inspiration for aspiring cricketers – Shows realistic career pathways beyond playing, such as commentary, academy ownership, and sports entrepreneurship.
• Strategic insights for selectors – Highlights the value of nurturing all‑rounders and spin specialists who can transition into coaching pipelines.

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Practical tips for fans seeking “Where are they now?” updates

1. Follow official BCCI and IPL social handles – They regularly announce retirements, appointments, and ambassador roles.
2. Subscribe to reputable cricket podcasts (e.g., The Cricket Monthly, Cricinfo Live) – Players often appear as guests discussing post‑retirement ventures.
3. Use verified Wikipedia and ESPNcricinfo profiles – For up‑to‑date statistics, retirement dates, and coaching assignments.
4. Check LinkedIn for business ventures – Many former cricketers list their entrepreneurial activities and board memberships there.

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Real‑world example: Ashwin’s spin‑academy model

• Problem – Indian spin talent pool needed modern training methods.
• Solution – Ashwin launched a regional academy in 2022 offering video‑analysis,biomechanics,and mental‑skill workshops.
• Result – By 2025, the academy produced three India U‑19 spinners who debuted in the senior team, reinforcing the effectiveness of player‑led development programs.

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