New Zealand opening batter Martin Guptill has drawn curtains on his international career. His announcement was made official on Wednesday (January 8) by New Zealand Cricket.
Guptill made a sensational international debut in an ODI fixture against West Indies in Auckland in January 2009, where he slammed 122 off 135. Playing his final international game in October 2022, the right-hander finished with 13,463 runs in 367 games, with 23 centuries and 76 fifties, while still being the highest run-scorer in T20Is for the Black Caps.
The 34-year-old was a part of the Kiwi side, which ended as the runner-ups in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. He emerged as the top batter in the 2015 edition with 547 runs in nine innings at a terrific average of 68.37. During this tournament, he smashed his highest ODI score of 237* off 163 balls, with 24 fours and 11 sixes against West Indies. Interestingly, it is the second-highest individual score in the 50-over format, just behind Rohit Sharma’s 264.
“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,” Guptill said in an NZC statement. “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,” he added.
New Zealand’s Martin Guptill continues to play in T20s
Although, Martin Guptill hasn’t played any international cricket since late 2022, he has been a part of various franchise T20 leagues. The veteran batter recently took part in Nepal Premier League, where he garnered 137 runs in six innings for Biratnagar Kings.
Interestingly, he emerged as the top batter in the Legends League Cricket 2024 with 339 runs in nine games, as his side Southern Super Stars managed to secure a title victory.
Guptill returned to New Zealand’s premier domestic T20 competition, Super Smash 2024-25. Playing for Auckland, he started the season with a 31-run knock off 23 balls against Otago and then followed it up with 60 off 35 against Canterbury.
The right-handed batter is also named in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft, scheduled to take place on January 11. Besides, he will be seen representing Chhattisgarh Warriors in Legend 90 League, slated to be played from February 6 to 18 in Raipur.
