- Tuesday, March 11, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
RETIRING once was a less-strenuous job for sportspersons as it marked a definite conclusion to their journey — big or small. But nowadays, even finishing off the journey, especially for those who had it big, is not easy. In the world of cricket, especially, quitting is not an easy decision, particularly if you are still in your prime.
But yet, people are stepping down early, mostly citing the excessively hectic schedule which is making them less apologetic about missing the bus.
ALSO READ: Ben Stokes quits one-day cricket: ‘Can’t give 100% anymore’
Ace England all-rounder Ben Stokes is the latest to decide that he would not play the 50-over format again, saying it is not sustainable for his body and he could not give the team 100 per cent any more. Having made his debut in the format in 2011, the 31-year-old cricketer looked to be jaded after having played just 104 games.
Cricketing fraternity salutes Ben Stokes after he quits 50-over format
Stokes’s decision came when the next 50-over World Cup is not too far. As one of the chief architects of the Three Lions’ famous victory at home in the 2019 version, Stokes was expected to spearhead the side in his team’s mission to defend the crown in India next year. But that script now stands nullified.
One also recalls in this space the decision to quit which was taken by another modern-day great and it is AB de Villiers. The former South Africa captain, one of the most prolific hitters of the ball contemporary cricket has seen, called it a day in a format which he excelled at will in 2018, just a year ahead of the England World Cup in 2019.
At only 34 then, de Villiers had claimed that he seemed to have run “out of gas” after playing at the top level for 14 years and while Stokes still kept a game before he took the farewell, ABD’s parting shot came with immediate effect.
In the case of the South African, however, the story didn’t end there. After the Proteas fared poorly in the 2019 World Cup, a major controversy erupted over de Villiers’ absence in the side and over reports that the maestro wanted to come back to the team but the team management didn’t accommodate him.
We hope that the same story doesn’t unfold with Stokes next year when England defend their title in a territory which is not among their favourite hunting grounds.
Also, did the exit of de Villiers and Stokes from the ODI arena suggest that something is not too right with cricket nowadays?
Is an overdose killing the talent?
