Elite performance decline syndrome

Elite Performance Decline Syndrome: Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell believes that for the modern greats of cricket like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, the end will come, but not when others tell them, but when they know.

Chappell also reflected on the inevitable decline of elite batsmen and how it manifests in the careers of modern greats like Kohli, Smith, and Root. Chappell examines the phenomenon he calls "Elite Performance Decline Syndrome" (EPDS), offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical battles faced by cricketers in the twilight of their careers.

Chappell begins by observing how decline, while gradual, is unmistakable. Even the best players—those who once dominated with flair and certainty—start to show signs of hesitation. "For players like Kohli, Smith, and Root, the decline isn’t dramatic," Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald. "It’s subtle—a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime."