“Few players redefined the game during their time, and fewer still leave behind a legacy as profound as Martin Guptill’s.” Listening to retirement from one of our favorite players feels like a part will be missing soon. When it comes to cricket, one of the well-known players that pops up in our minds is Martin Guptill. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill is one of the explosive openers whose name shines brightly. He had great determination for sports from a very young age and has made a household name in cricket circles. Martin has a follower base of over 390,000 on Instagram on his official account, @martyguptill31. As Martin has decided to bid farewell to international cricket, let us catch up with some of his precious and unforgettable moments and achievements in life.
Martin Guptill Age and Early Life
Born in New Zealand on September 30, 1986, in Auckland, this 38-year-old international cricketer’s journey has not been ordinary. Martin lost his three toes on his left leg at a very young age of 13, but despite the injury, he was determined to play sports, and his love for sports propelled him to succeed in cricket. He got his nickname ‘Two Toes’ due to the injury. He excelled in domestic cricket in his teenage years and emerged as a batting prodigy. Guptill made his international debut in 2009 in an ODI against the West Indies, where he had his first century, and it became a hallmark of his career.
A Record-Breaking Cricket
The individual to score highest in Cricket World Cup history and the second-highest overall score in ODI cricket is none other than Martin Guptill; his achievement came during the 2015 ICC World Cup while playing in New Zealand. He has also been a key player in the New Zealand cricket team. He played in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians in 2016 as a replacement for Lendl Simmons and for Kings XI Punjab in 2017 and for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2019 IPL.
Martin made his first debut in international cricket on January 10, 2009, in an ODI, where he made 122 runs. He made his first T20I debut on February 15, 2009, against Australia in Sydney, and his first Test debut in December 2009 against India in Wellington. Guptill has been instrumental in New Zealand’s success in white-ball cricket, with more than 7000 runs in ODIs and 3000 in T20Is. He is one of the top runners in New Zealand’s history.
Guptill is one of the most feared openers because of his ability to hit towering sixes. His incredible catches and runouts have turned matches in New Zealand’s favor. He is also one of those few players who have scored a double century in ODI cricket.
Martin Guptill’s Net Worth
While we talk about Martin Guptill’s achievements, let us look into his financial achievements as well. As of 2024, Martin’s net worth is around $20 million. His sources of income include:
Cricket Contracts: He has earned significant income through match fees, contracts with New Zealand Cricket, and domestic league participation.
T20: He has made an approximate income of $50,000 from T20 leagues, which include the Pakistan Super League.
Endorsements: Guptill has also made his fortune through endorsement deals with brands such as Kookaburra Cricket.
Along with the money, Guptill also owns some luxury vehicles like Audi and Mercedes SUVs.
Martin Guptill’s Retirement from International Cricket
The official announcement of retirement from international cricket made by Guptill on January 8, 2025, made a sensation among his fans. With a massive 23 centuries during his 367 matches, he makes him New Zealand’s leading top T20I scorer. His decision to end his international cricket career marks an important chapter in New Zealand’s cricket history. While representing his pride in playing for New Zealand, he stated, “As a young kid it was always my dream to play for New Zealand, and I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have played 367 games for my country.”
Taking retirement from international cricket does not mean the stoppage of his career, as he, Martin, will continue to play in domestic T20 leagues.