‘After losing to India…’: Matthew Wade reveals reason behind retirement

Matthew Wade recently revealed that Australia's loss to India in the T20 World Cup was a key factor in his decision to retire from international cricket. The match, which saw Rohit Sharma's phenomenal 92 off just 41 balls lead India to a 24-run win, had a profound impact on Wade. It was after this defeat that he started seriously considering retirement, ultimately leading to his decision to step away from the international game.

“It probably hit home after we lost against India,” Wade shared with cricket.com.au. “That was when I really sat down and reflected that that was probably the end of my career. That was an emotional moment.”

As a lower-order powerhouse for Australia, Wade’s retirement decision was further influenced by the emergence of Josh Inglis, who has shown remarkable form as both a wicketkeeper and a versatile batter in recent months.

Wade recognized that it was the appropriate moment to hand over the reins to the younger player, stating, “The time was right for ‘Ingo’ (Josh Inglis) to come in. You can see what he’s done in the last (few months that) he’s been in the team as the No.1 ‘keeper. He was certainly ready to come in and take that role.”

Wade acknowledged that Inglis’s ability to bat higher in the order could improve Australia’s team balance. He noted, “They’re looking for maybe someone who can bat more top to middle order now as well, and that suits him really well,” while reflecting on the shift in his role within the team following Inglis’s rise.

For Wade, it was a natural progression and one that helped solidify his decision to step aside.

As Wade transitions away from international cricket, he suggested that his time in the IPL may also be coming to an end. Having played for the Gujarat Titans over the past two seasons, he acknowledged the challenges of balancing his commitments with a packed schedule ahead, including the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10, which will follow directly after the Big Bash League. Wade admitted that dedicating himself to the entire IPL season would be challenging.

“I’m doing the ILT20 which will be straight after the BBL. I’m doing the (Abu Dhabi) T10, which leads straight into BBL,” Wade explained. “So, I’m going over to Dubai at the end of this month.”

Even if Wade steps back from playing in the IPL, his involvement with Australian cricket will persist as he takes on a coaching role. He is set to become Australia’s wicket-keeping and fielding coach for the upcoming white-ball series against Pakistan, ensuring he remains connected to the team and its future.

This coaching opportunity signifies a new chapter for Wade, allowing him to share his invaluable experience and insights with emerging players.