On Virat Kohli's Retirement Timing, India's Most Controversial Coach's Sharp 'Dignity' Verdict

Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell, whose stint as Indian cricket team coach was controversial, believes that for the modern greats of cricket like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, the end will come, but not when others tell them, but when they know. Chappell also reflected on the inevitable decline of elite batsmen and how it manifests in the careers of modern greats like Kohli, Smith, and Root. Chappell examines the phenomenon he calls "Elite Performance Decline Syndrome" (EPDS), offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical battles faced by cricketers in the twilight of their careers.

Chappell begins by observing how decline, while gradual, is unmistakable. Even the best players—those who once dominated with flair and certainty—start to show signs of hesitation. "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."

Kohli, who once intimidated bowlers with his commanding starts, has begun to exhibit a cautious approach. "He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally," Chappell notes.

This hesitancy, Chappell argueed, is emblematic of EPDS. Kohli's instinctive aggression, tempered by the weight of expectations and the fear of failure, has made him more risk-averse. "Confidence is everything for an elite athlete," Chappell writes. "When doubt