Former India coach Greg Chappell believes that modern-day cricket greats like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root will know when it’s time for them to retire. Greg Chappell stated that Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root don’t need others to tell them when to step down from international cricket.
Steve Smith and Virat Kohli have seen a noticeable decline in their Test performances in recent years. Their poor form has contributed to their teams struggling in major series. Australia won the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final, while India lost the two editions of the WTC final matches.
It’s About Finishing with Dignity, on Their Own Terms – Greg Chappell
In his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, Greg Chappell highlighted how players like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root experience a gradual decline rather than a dramatic fall. Chappell said that the challenge is not about defeating time but about retiring with dignity and on their own terms.
“For players like Kohli, Smith and Root, the decline isn’t dramatic. It’s a subtle-a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime,” Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald.
“For Kohli, Smith and Root, the end will come – not when others tell them but when they know. The battle against time is not about winning; it’s about finishing with dignity, on their own terms,” he added.
Virat Kohli and Steve Smith Facing Struggles, While Joe Root Shines
Both India’s and Australia’s No. 4 batters have scored a century each in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series, but both have faced challenges against the moving new ball. The Australian batter has scored 124 runs in three Test matches, while the Indian batter has scored two more runs.
However, Joe Root is in the best form among the three batters. The former England skipper recently reached 36 Test centuries. Root is the leading run-scorer in the format this year, amassing 1,556 runs at an average of 55.57. Kohli has hit three centuries since 2020, while Smith has managed seven centuries.
Virat Kohli’s Internal Battle is Clear – Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell stated that Virat Kohli is struggling to balance between attacking and surviving. The South Australian noted that Smith’s decline is more mental than physical, as he has been struggling to maintain sharp focus during long innings.
“He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally. Confidence is everything for an athlete. When doubt creeps in, it disrupts the clarity required to dominate. Kohli’s internal battle is clear – his desire to attack and his caution to approach with survival,” Chappell wrote in the same column.
“Smith’s decline has been more mental than physical. Fatigue – both mental and physical – is a silent enemy. For Smith, maintaining that razor-sharp focus over long innings has become increasingly challenging. The weight of expectations from fans and teammates alike, only adds to the emotional toll,” he added.
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