Two of India’s greatest-ever cricketers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, announced their retirements from T20I cricket on Saturday, following India’s triumphant second T20 World Cup win. Kohli revealed his decision minutes after the historic victory, while Rohit, who played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign, made his announcement during the official post-match press conference.
Despite stepping away from T20Is, Rohit confirmed his continued commitment to representing India in ODIs and Tests. Rohit Sharma’s searing 41-ball 92-run knock against Australia in the Super 8s will be remembered for years to come.
Reflecting on his career, Rohit Sharma expressed his intense desire for this title. “This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this (trophy) badly. It’s very hard to put into words,” he shared during the post-match press conference, celebrating the end of India’s decade-long title drought. “This is what I wanted, and it happened. I was very desperate for this in my life. Happy that we crossed the line this time,” he added.
Rohit’s announcement came on the heels of India’s second T20 World Cup title, a victory that brought immense joy and pride to the nation. His retirement marks the end of an illustrious T20I career during which he became the format’s highest scorer, amassing 4,231 runs in 159 matches.
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The Indian skipper also holds the record for the most centuries in T20 internationals, with five to his name. His T20I journey began with the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, where he was a key player in India’s first title win. Now, as captain, he has led India to their second title, further cementing his legacy.
Happy retirement captain rohit sharma from t20i❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/dIqBsetVH1
— Srajal⁴⁵🇮🇳 (@87off101) June 29, 2024
The final match against South Africa was a nail-biter, with India defending a target of 176 runs. The Proteas, needing 30 runs from the last 30 deliveries, appeared to have the upper hand. However, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, held their nerve in the crucial moments. Pandya, in particular, shone in the final over, successfully defending 16 runs and sealing a dramatic seven-run victory for India.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma kisses Hardik Pandya after T20 World Cup win
This triumph was particularly special for Rohit Sharma, who had experienced both highs and lows in his cricketing career. The win was a testament to his leadership, resilience, and unwavering determination. Reflecting on his journey, Sharma said, “I’ve loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted; I wanted to win the cup.”
His retirement follows that of his long-time teammate, Virat Kohli, who also announced his departure from T20 internationals after the World Cup. Together, Sharma and Kohli have been pillars of Indian cricket, their contributions instrumental in numerous victories over the years.
