New Delhi: With the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup being held in India in March, Brendon McCullum's announcement of his retirment a month prior to that could see the Kiwis missing their leader given his heroics in the format.
Cricket's one of the most finest and aggressive batsman Brendon McCullum, is set to retire from international cricket in February.
The 34-year-old New Zealand batsman has confirmed his last outing for the Black Caps will be against Australia in February 2016.
McCullum has been a crucial T20 figure in international scenario and leads the chart as the highest run-scorer in the format. McCullum holds the record for the highest runs scored in T20 internationals. McCullum has 2140 runs with an average of 35.66.
Given his attacking prowess up so high in the order, McCullum can take the game away from the opponent right from the word go. McCullum can be put in the same bracket as Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers as T20's most explosive batsmen.
His emphatic capability with the bat and being an exceptional fielder too, McCullum has set a bar for New Zealand.
Interestingly, McCullum knows the conditions in India best given his success in the Indian Premier League. McCullum had been solid for defunct Chennai Super Kings up till 2015 and also fared his trade earlier for Kolkata Knight Riders and Kochi Tuskers.
He has over 2000 runs alongside two centuries in IPL to show his understanding of the conditions.
The Kiwi side are set to miss McCullum's experience and ability as a match-winner given the size of the tournament.
New Zealand were the finalists of the ICC 2015 World Cup under McCullum's leadership as the Black Caps leader played a crucial role with the bat too during the tourney.
It will be exciting to watch the Black Caps under the leadership of Kane Williamson during the T20 WC. McCullum's presence as a leader and his brutality as a batsman will be missed at the coveted event.
Questions rise that couldn't McCullum decide to retire after the World Cup or at least would he have continued to play T20 cricket at international circuit?
But the decision has been made and McCullum will feel he has timed it well.
New Zealand have been paired in Group 2 alongside India, Pakistan, Australia and winner of group A (Q1A).
