Martin Guptill Shocks Fans with Unexpected Retirement from International Cricket

New Zealand’s star opener and one of the country’s cricketing legends, Martin Guptill, has announced his retirement from international cricket. Guptill, known for his explosive batting, made his debut for New Zealand in 2009 and went on to play in over 350 matches across all formats. He represented his country in 198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Tests. In these games, Guptill scored more than 13,000 runs, including 23 centuries and 76 half-centuries.

Notably, he is the record-holder for the most T20I runs by a New Zealand player, with 3531 runs in the format. His ODI career was equally remarkable, where he accumulated 7346 runs, placing him third on New Zealand’s all-time list of ODI run-scorers. Guptill’s memorable achievements include being the first-ever New Zealander to score an ODI double-century and his iconic 2015 World Cup performance. He said:

As a young kid it was always my dream to play for New Zealand and I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have played 367 games for my country. I will forever cherish the memories made wearing the silver fern alongside a great group of guys. I want to say a huge thanks to all my team-mates and coaching staff over the years, in particular Mark O’Donnell who has coached me since the Under 19 level and been a source of ongoing support and wisdom over my career.

Although Guptill retired from international cricket in 2022, he will continue to play in domestic competitions and T20 leagues, currently leading the Auckland Aces in the Super Smash. Guptill expressed deep gratitude to his teammates, coaching staff, and fans, citing his family’s support as a major pillar throughout his career.