Martin Guptill Retired From International Cricket: A name that is ubiquitous with power packed batting and with unparalleled cricketing skills, Martin Guptill has now officially retired from international cricket. Despite being done with his international journey, the former New Zealand opener feels there’s more to give him in the T20 league circuit. However after the 2024 World Cup, which finished with a bang, Guptill decided to conclude his stellar career by walking away from the active list as a fully contracted player. It meant that he could explore freelance cricket opportunities and, in the New Zealand team, doors began to open for the emerging players.
Guptill’s contributions stretched across 367 matches across all formats, no legend matching it. He had played 198 ODIs, scoring an impressive 7,346 runs for New Zealand, which is the third most for the country in ODIs. And it wasn’t just about numbers for Guptill’s achievements.
New Zealand’s top-order star became the first player from the nation to hit a century right from the start and also set a record as the first to achieve a double-century in ODIs. What can you say about his 237* against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup? That made it the highest individual score in World Cup history and one of the most iconic moments in New Zealand cricket’s history.
Guptill’s illustrious career hadn’t earned him the farewell he’d hoped for. Still being left off the 2023 World Cup squad and having denied a send off match, he is still left feeling incomplete. Guptill said he still feels he had so much to give to Black Caps and New Zealand Cricket. The way it ended is disappointing, but life moves on.
Just as much as a batting powerhouse, Guptill was a world class fielder. The 2019 World Cup semi final was very high point of his career with the run out of MS Dhoni when he dismissed him. But the change to focus on young guns, including Finn Allen, was a turning point. Ironically, Allen is the one who left international cricket in 2024 to focus on T20 leagues as cricket goes international downsizing.
Guptill’s Test career was respectable, but nowhere close to what he produced in ODIs or T20s. He scored 2,586 runs in 47 matches but only made three centuries. At No 5, he averaged over 43 to notch his best Test performance, an amazing 189 against Bangladesh in 2010. But when it comes to playing the new ball, Guptill knew it is the challenge of opening the innings. “I could have remained at No. 5 but I enjoyed always opening.” I gave it my all, no regrets,” he said.
Guptill’s international career is over but he’s not finished with cricket yet. He loves the opportunity to have represented New Zealand to the world stage and he’s still proud of his accomplishments. ‘That black cap has to be my most proud achievement ever, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,’ he said.
Also Read: Gaddafi Stadium to Open on January 27 After Upgradation
Cricket Tamasha Team is a bunch of people, who create and share match breakdowns, blogs, player features and news from the world of cricket. Genuine fans will appreciate our determination to keep fans both informed and entertained.