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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India's cricketing legends, have announced their retirement from T20 Internationals following India's second T20 World Cup triumph. Kohli made his retirement announcement moments after the historic victory, while Rohit Sharma confirmed his decision during the official post-match press conference. Rohit emphasized that he will continue representing India in ODIs and Tests.
Rohit, pivotal in India's victorious campaign, highlighted his pivotal 41-ball 92-run knock against Australia in the Super 8s as unforgettable. "This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this trophy badly. It's very hard to put in words," Rohit shared during the press conference, celebrating India's first title win in over a decade. "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 emotionally.
His retirement culminates a distinguished T20I career where he amassed 4231 runs in 159 matches, becoming the highest scorer in the format. With five centuries, Rohit holds the record for the most T20I centuries. His journey began with India's inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007, and as captain, he secured India's second title, solidifying his legacy.
The final match against South Africa was a tense affair, with India successfully defending 176 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh led the bowling attack, with Pandya's final over, defending 16 runs, sealing India's dramatic seven-run victory.
Rohit, who navigated both triumphs and setbacks in his career, sees this win as a testament to his leadership and determination. "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," Rohit reflected.
His retirement follows Kohli's departure from T20Is, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket. Together, Sharma and Kohli have been pivotal in India's cricketing successes, their contributions defining an era of excellence.
