In pictures: The coronavirus impact on veteran players' careers

MS Dhoni, who will turn 39 in July, joined the CSK training camp on March 2 (day 1 of the camp) and his chances of making an international comeback were largely dependent on his performance in the IPL. But then, the coronavirus outbreak brought everything to a grinding halt. With the IPL postponed till further notice, the road now gets tougher for Dhoni to make it to the India squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup, with the likes of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant already in the fray.

Roger Federer, who turns 39 in August might be in the final chapter of his remarkable career, but the 38-year-old Swiss maestro would definitely have loved to add one or may be two more Grand Slam titles (currently at 20) this year to stretch his record tally.

With the French Open postponed to September-October it is most likely that the likes of Rafael Nadal (aged 33) and Novak Djokovic (aged 32) with 19 and 17 Slam titles respectively will surpass the record of the ageless Federer in the near future, unless Federer can dig deep and win a few more Slams.

Chasing the all time record of Margaret Smith Court (24 Grand Slams), the coronavirus pandemic could be a major setback for Serena Williams, who is currently on 23 titles. Although Serena, who turns 39 in September came close to equalling the record at the US Open last year, before losing in the final. Currently aged 38 and with the French Open postponed and Wimbledon cancelled this year, Serena's bid to equal and then break the all-time record has perhaps become more difficult. With young guns bursting onto the scene, it could be a steep hill to climb for Serena, chasing Slams 24 and 25. The last time Serena won a Grand Slam singles title was in 2017 at the Australian Open.

In the twilight of his football career, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in the midst of his second stint with AC Milan when the coronavirus pandemic halted his incredible journey. With 3 goals in 8 appearances, the 38-year-old Zlatan, who has played for top clubs like Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester United, PSG and others in the past, was looking as good as ever, before the pandemic halted sporting activities across the world. He is in fact the most prolific goalscorer for Milan in the last 10 years, with 60 goals in 97 matches.

Zlatan's contract with Milan expires in June and the forward has admitted that he is not sure where his future lies. During the lockdown Zlatan has been training with Swedish top flight club Hammarby, in which he bought a 25% stake in November 2019. An Italian publication also published a report claiming that Zlatan is considering a move to football management.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar recently said that people have the habit of writing him off, but the 36-year-old veteran (to turn 37 in May) is looking at the turbulence caused by the pandemic in a positive way. Sushil, who hasn't qualified yet for the Tokyo Games, sees the postponement of the Games to 2021 as an opportunity to have another shot at what could be his fourth Olympic appearance.

Ageless Leander Paes was looking for 'One Last Roar' and had announced that 2020 would be his final year on the professional circuit, when coronavirus spoiled the party for the 46-year-old. His father, Dr. Vece Paes, who was part of India's bronze medal winning hockey team in the 1972 Munich Olympics recently said that he is encouraging Leander to play one more year. If Leander plays on in 2021 and makes the cut for the Olympics next year, it will be his eighth Olympic appearance.