The Auckland Aces secured a commanding victory in the Super Smash match against the Wellington Firebirds last Thursday, as the visitors stumbled in pursuit of a 193-run target. However, this was no ordinary league clash—it was a significant testimonial fixture honoring New Zealand legend Martin Guptill, marking his final game in Auckland for the season before his departure to participate in the ILT20 in the UAE.
Auckland Cricket had declared January 4 as ‘Thank You, Gup Day’ at the Eden Park Outer Oval, temporarily renamed the Martin Guptill Oval. In a classic display of his prowess, the Kiwi star delivered a special performance, expressing his gratitude to the fans.
The 37-year-old crafted an explosive innings of 85 runs off just 52 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and six maximums, carrying his bat through the innings and rightfully earning the man of the match accolade. As the 20 overs concluded, Guptill removed his helmet, prompting the entire stadium to rise in unison, applauding the batsman as he left the field, raising his bat in acknowledgment of the crowd’s support.
Beyond the boundary ropes, his family and children awaited him, and Guptill took precious moments to share individual, heartfelt embraces while receiving warm hugs from his teammates and coaches. Guptill’s illustrious career spanned 367 appearances across formats for New Zealand, notably contributing to the team’s World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019.
— Virat Sharma (@ViratSharm39743) January 4, 2024
He remains the third-highest run-scorer in T20I history with 3,531 runs and last represented the Black Caps in October 2022 before losing his central contract a month later. Although he hasn’t officially announced retirement, his career appears to be in its twilight phase, prompting the Twitter community to cherish and celebrate his legendary achievements.