India Great Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From T20Is (Image: BCCI)
In a historic moment for Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20 internationals after leading India to a thrilling victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.
Virat Kohli, who was named man of the match after scoring 76 out of 59 balls, expressed his sentiments during the post-match presentation.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, and then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, the last T20 for India, I wanted to make the most of it. I wanted to lift the cup, and respect the situation rather than force it. This was an open secret; it’s time for the next generation to take over. Some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high,” said Kohli.
Captain and batting legend Rohit Sharma has also confirmed after India’s T20 World Cup win that he has played his final international in the format.
“This was my last game as well,” the captain said in his post-match media briefing, referring to his colleague’s earlier announcement that he will be retiring from T20Is.
“I’ve enjoyed since the time I started playing this format. Better a time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup,” Sharma said.
India clinched their first T20 World Cup title since 2007, with the bowlers playing a crucial role in securing the victory for Rohit Sharma’s team at Kensington Oval, Barbados. This win also marked the first time that Indian legend and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid has touched a World Cup in any format.
Kohli leaves behind an illustrious T20 career, marked by numerous records and accolades. He is third on the list for most runs in T20 internationals, with a total of 4112 runs. Known for his consistency, Kohli holds the fourth-highest career batting average of 48.37. He also ranks second for most fifties in career with 38 and has the most player-of-the-match awards, having won it 15 times. Kohli’s rapid scoring ability is highlighted by being the fastest to reach 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 T20 runs.
Kohli’s record includes the highest partnership for the fifth wicket (113 runs) and a remarkable achievement of scoring 122* in a single innings. He also ranks highly in fielding, with 54 catches in his career. His contributions as captain are notable too, having led India in 50 matches.
As Kohli steps down from the T20 format, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. His remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on the game.
