'He's going to go down as one of the most influential figures' - Brendon McCullum on Eoin Morgan's retirement rumours

As per several reports, England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan is set to announce his retirement this week. It was earlier learnt that the southpaw is looking to step down from his captaincy role but now the latest reports suggest that Morgan is set to say goodbye to international cricket. England head coach Brendon McCullum, talking after a Test series win over New Zealand, shared his thoughts on Morgan’s rumoured retirement.

McCullum termed Morgan as being a reason for making Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, and Ben Stokes international stars. Buttler has been Morgan’s deputy since 2015 and is most likely to be named as the next white-ball captain for England.

“He’s going to go down as one of the most influential figures not just in English cricket but in world cricket. For the approach which he’s undertaken when he took over the job as England captain and what he’s been able to do to change the entire attitude and style of cricket that they played,” McCullum said to Sky Sports.

“It’s had impacts right around the world, and he’s won a World Cup and taken these guys on a journey. You look at guys like Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, these guys are absolute international superstars, and they’ve been able to become those players under the leadership of Eoin Morgan,” he added.

If I don’t feel I am contributing to the team, then I will finish: Eoin Morgan

The 35-year-old left-handed batter made his international debut for Ireland in 2006 and later switched his allegiance to England in 2009. He replaced Alastair Cook as white-ball captain at the end of the year 2014 and has been an influential figure in English cricket since then. He guided the Three Lions to the T20 World Cup 2016 final and ODI World Cup 2019 triumph. However, he has been struggling with fitness and injury issues lately and most importantly with his form since the start of 2021.

Morgan recently led England in a three-match ODI series against Netherlands, which the Englishmen clinched 3-0. However, he was dismissed for ducks in the first two matches and a groin injury ruled him out of the last match. Before the Netherlands series, he had dropped a major hint on his retirement plans. “If I don’t think I am good enough or I don’t feel I am contributing to the team, then I will finish,” Morgan had said before the Netherlands series.