Cricketers have their fans in their respective countries. But some cricketers are blessed to have a strong fan base all over the cricketing nations. Among those players, the former South African right-handed batsman is the one who has been fans of all the cricketing nations.
Earlier this year in May, the right handed batsman announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. The decision from the 34-year old batsman was a shocking one for the cricketing world as there was only one year left for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He is among the few cricketers in the 50+ average of both Test and ODIs .
He will continue to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL and Titans in the South African domestic tournaments. He has scored a total of more than 18000 runs in all three formats of International cricket. Nearly after four months of his retirement.
“It’s been unbearable at times: the pressure you have to face, performing day in and day out. The expectations that you put yourself on, from fans, from the country, from coaches. It is huge, and it’s something that’s on your mind all the time as a cricketer. I used to fight it, to fight the pressure. “
He further added “And I’m happy that I did But it certainly takes a lot of time I feel there is a room for players to become more honest about it, having systems in place to make sure they keep fresh and mentally healthy.
I was not mentally ill at the time, but I can relate to the fact that pressure can really drive you down, and make you so tired. But I truly believe that players who do not like the pressure of international cricket, being away from home for a time, are lying to everyone and themselves. “
