NEW DELHI: Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell thinks that the modern cricket greats, such as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, would know when their time is up, not when others tell them.
Chappell also considered how the careers of contemporary greats like Smith, Root, and Kohli illustrate the unavoidable fall of exceptional batsmen.
In his analysis of the phenomena he refers to as “Elite Performance Decline Syndrome” (EPDS), Chappell provides a unique window into the psychological and physical struggles that cricket players have as their careers come to an end.
Chappell starts by noting how decline is obvious even though it happens gradually. Even the top players, who used to dominate with confidence and flair, begin to exhibit indications of doubt.
“For players like Kohli, Smith, and Root, the decline isn’t dramatic,” Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s subtle-a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime.”
“For Kohli, Smith, and Root, the end will come-not when others tell them, but when they know,” Chappell writes. “The battle against time is not about winning; it’s about finishing with dignity, on their own terms.”
Once intimidating bowlers with his dominant starts, Kohli has started to show signs of caution. “He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally,” Chappell notes.
According to Chappell, this reluctance is typical of EPDS. Kohli has become more risk cautious as a result of his innate aggression being restrained by the pressure of expectations and his dread of failing.
“Confidence is everything for an elite athlete,” Chappell writes. “When doubt creeps in, it disrupts the clarity required to dominate. Kohli’s internal battle is clear-his desire to attack versus his cautious approach to survival.”
A distinct aspect of EPDS is being faced by Steve Smith, who is renowned for his unconventional genius and remarkable ability to grind out runs. “Smith’s decline has been more mental than physical,” Chappell suggests.
Over time, it becomes more difficult to maintain the laser-like focus and painstaking preparation that characterized Smith’s batting. “Fatigue-both mental and physical-is a silent enemy,” Chappell writes. “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.”
For Joe Root, mentality is just as important as form in the fight. Root’s superb stroke play and versatility have remained defining characteristics of his game. But Chappell observes a slight change in his intention. “Root’s ability to dominate spinners and pace alike is still there, but his willingness to take risks has diminished,” Chappell observes.
Restoring the joy of batting, which frequently wanes under the burden of responsibility, is Root’s struggle. “The hardest thing isn’t the bowler at the other end,” Chappell writes. “It’s the silence in your own head when you know you’re not the player you once were.”
Chappell explored the scientific foundations of EPDS, elucidating the effects of aging on the body and psyche. “These changes are inevitable,” Chappell writes. “The challenge is how players like Kohli, Smith, and Root adapt to them.”
The constraints of decline are exacerbated for cricket players from cricket-mad countries like India, Australia, and England by public scrutiny. Chappell emphasized how fans and commentators analyze every form slump, which exacerbates the mental strain.
“These players are not just fighting their own battles,” Chappell writes. “They’re carrying the weight of millions of fans who demand perfection.” He recalls Sunil Gavaskar’s words: “The hardest part of batting is knowing you aren’t what you were.”
Chappell thought that exceptional players manage to adjust in spite of the difficulties. He cites Kohli’s recent exploits, in which he recovered his rhythm and produced innings that won matches after cautious starts. Likewise, Root’s versatility in many formats and Smith’s ability to persevere under trying circumstances are evidence of their tenacity.
“Reaching 20 or 30 runs acts as a psychological turning point,” Chappell writes. “It’s a moment where the rhythm of their younger selves resurfaces, reminding them-and us-why they’re among the greatest of all time.”
Chappell reflected on his own career and the emotional challenge of letting go as he wrapped up. His journey came to a fitting conclusion when he scored a century in his last Test at the SCG, channeling the mental intensity of his younger self.
Additionally, Chappell advised supporters to honor these players for their perseverance in the face of adversity as well as their best performances.
“Greatness isn’t just about what they achieve in their prime. It’s about how they adapt, endure, and finish. Kohli, Smith, and Root are writing the final chapters of their stories, and we should honour their courage as much as their brilliance.”