Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from T20I cricket after helping India to World Cup victory in Barbados. The captain revealed his decision just minutes after Virat Kohli retired from the game’s shortest format on Thursday, June 29.
On Saturday, June 29, India skipper Rohit Sharma declared his intention to retire from the game’s shortest format, just minutes after captain Virat Kohli hung up his boots from Twenty20 international cricket. After India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final to win the T20 World Cup in Barbados, the two cricket players announced the end of their T20I career. After winning the Player of the Match award at the Kensington Oval, Rohit officially announced his retirement to the media, but Kohli made the same announcement.
“That was my last game as well. Honestly, I have enjoyed it since the time I started playing this format. There is no better time to say goodbye to this format. I have loved every moment of it. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted to do. win the Cup and say (goodbye,”Despite the media’ encouragement to continue playing the format in Barbados, Rohit stated.
Though he has only withdrawn from T20 internationals, Rohit Sharma has clarified that he will’very much’ continue to play ODIs and Tests.
With their first World Cup victory as a team, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have ended their careers on a positive note. After being sent to bat first, India managed to score 176 runs thanks to Kohli’s game-winning 76 off 59 balls, which earned him the Player of the Match title. India won their second T20 World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa in an exciting final by 7 runs.On the other side, Rohit Sharma put an end to his protracted wait to win the team captaincy. Over the last two years, Rohit had several heartbreaks. India lost the ODI World Cup at home to Australia in 2023 and the World Test Championship in 2023 after losing the T20 World Cup semifinal in 2022.
After the last delivery was bowled, Rohit Sharma slammed the ground in celebration, letting all of his emotions flow. During the trophy presentation event, Rohit gracefully accepted the T20 World Cup trophy with a dance. At the Kensington Oval, he also shared a photo with Virat Kohli while the two were holding an Indian flag.
“I wanted this badly. Very hard to put it in words. At that moment, I didn’t know how to express what was going in my mind. It was a very emotional moment. I wish I could capture that moment myself, but not really, you can’t do that. But I will always remember that. Those are the moments you wait for. You don’t plan these things. I was very desperate for this in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line this time,”
Rohit expressed his feelings following the historic T20 World Cup victory.
With 4231 runs, Rohit Sharma became the all-time top run scorer in T20 international cricket. In T20I cricket, the captain finished with the most hundreds of any hitter with five. With a 140 strike rate, Rohit scored 32 fifties.
In T20I cricket, Rohit was crucial in assisting Team India in overcoming their dread of losing. During the T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit led by example, soaring during powerplays and intimidating the opponents. With a 156.70 strike rate in 8 matches, Rohit scored 257 runs.Virat Kohli, on the other side, concluded his career with 4188 runs in 125 games.
