Image Credit: Instagram/BCCI, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing with the T20 World Cup Trophy
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two modern-day legends, have bid goodbye to T20 Internationals. They announced their retirement after India won the coveted T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. India has defeated South Africa by seven runs to clinch their second T20 World Cup and their first since 2011.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals on Saturday, following India’s second World Cup victory in Barbados.
Kohli led the innings with a match-winning 59-ball 76 that included six fours and two sixes, taking India from 34 for three inside the power-play to a daunting 176 for seven against South Africa.
Kohli stated after receiving the Man of the Match award that this was his final T20I match for India.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and it was exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli said after India won a world championship for the first time in 11 years.
Kohli further revealed that his retirement from T20I was an open secret. He adds that he would have announced it even if they had lost. “Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward,” Kohli said when asked whether he was making a formal statement regarding his retirement.
He concludes by adding that the wait to win an ICC tournament was long, and he’s delighted they achieved it this time. He praised Rohit (Sharma) saying he’s played 9 T20 World Cups, and this is his sixth. “He deserved it. It’s been tough to hold things back (emotions), and I believe it will settle in later. It’s a great day, and I'm grateful,” Kohli said.
India captain Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, after leading the side to its second World Cup in the format. He described it as the ideal time to “say goodbye.”
He announced his retirement during the press conference following India’s seven-run victory against South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval. It came after his longtime teammate Virat Kohli announced the end of his illustrious career.
Rohit led India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champions England. A year later, under his leadership, India reached the final of the 50-over World Cup at home but lost to Australia in the summit game in Ahmedabad.
“This is exactly what I wanted, and it happened. I was desperate for it. I'm glad we crossed the line this time,” Rohit said. He also stated that he would be active in Tests and ODIs.
As delighted as fans are with the victory, they have bittersweet memories of their favorite cricketing heroes, whom they will dearly miss. India will undoubtedly miss RO-KO’s presence on the field, as the two modern-day greats draw their curtains off from T20I.
