Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Announce Retirement From T20 Cricket

In a momentous day for Indian cricket, two of the nation’s greatest ever cricketers – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – announced their retirement from T20 internationals on Saturday, just moments after leading India to their second T20 World Cup triumph.

Kohli, the talismanic former India captain, made his decision known immediately after the final, drawing the curtains on a glittering T20I career that spanned 115 matches. Rohit Sharma, the current India skipper, followed suit in the post-match press conference, declaring that the historic victory over South Africa would be his last game in the shortest format.

Rohit, whose scintillating 92-run knock against Australia in the Super 8s was a tournament highlight, expressed his immense desire to clinch the coveted trophy. “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,” an emotional Rohit told reporters.

The 35-year-old, who became the format’s highest run-scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches, leaves behind an indelible mark on T20 cricket. His tally of five centuries is the most by any player in the history of the game. Rohit’s T20I journey began with India’s triumph in the inaugural World Cup in 2007, and now, as captain, he has led the team to their second title, cementing his legacy as one of the greats of the game.

Kohli, on the other hand, bid adieu to T20Is with 3944 runs in 115 matches, the second-highest in the format. The former India skipper, who had relinquished his captaincy in the shortest format last year, played a crucial role in the team’s World Cup triumph, scoring a crucial half-century in the final.

The twin retirements mark the end of an era in Indian cricket, as Kohli and Sharma have been the cornerstones of the team’s success across all formats for over a decade. Their partnership, both on and off the field, has been instrumental in numerous victories for the national side.

The final against South Africa was a fitting farewell for the two legends, as India defended a target of 176 runs in a nerve-wracking encounter. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh stepped up in the crucial moments, with Pandya sealing the victory in the final over.

Rohit, reflecting on his journey, 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.” The triumph was particularly special for the outgoing captain, who had experienced both highs and lows in his illustrious career.

The retirements of Kohli and Sharma mark the end of an era, but their legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come. As the curtain falls on their T20I careers, the duo will now focus on their ODI and Test commitments, aiming to add more laurels to their already glittering resumes.