The packed international cricket schedule means the Indian Premier League is well-suited to retired players. The big stars from the international teams have limited windows of opportunity to make an impact, so it is often down to those who have hung up their boots for their national teams to give the event global star quality.
Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds are three of Australia's limited overs stars of the last decade whose days in the Baggy Green are behind them. Each has made a big impression on the third instalment of the IPL.
Gilchrist has the best strike rate of the leading run scorers in the competition, Hayden's masterful 93 from 43 balls against Delhi Daredevils was perhaps the tournament's best innings to date and Symonds is near the top of both the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts. Australia would undoubtedly be a stronger Twenty20 team with them still in their ranks.
Sri Lankan pair Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan have cut back on their international commitments but are still capable of being the leading bowlers in India. Vaas' skill with the new ball against openers on the attack during the fielding restrictions has been particularly impressive.
Jacques Kallis might not have retired, although the South African selectors are learning why it was a mistake to try and ease the Proteas legend out of their T20 line-up - he scored 264 runs in his first four IPL knocks without being dismissed. There's no doubt his presence would help shorten South Africa's World Twenty20 odds next month.
Not all of the oldies have enjoyed success. Sanath Jayasuriya was exposed at the top of the Mumbai Indians' order and Damien Martyn struggled on his comeback for Rajasthan Royals
Even the Royals' skipper and coach Shane Warne is finding life difficult, an inevitable consequence of the ageing process. It will happen to the other golden oldies, but not just yet.
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