Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20 Internationals on Saturday, shortly after India's victory over South Africa in the World Cup final. India secured the 2024 T20 World Cup title with a seven-run win in the final, with Indian bowlers successfully defending a target of 177 set by Kohli's aggressive 76 off 59 balls.
Kohli, who was named player of the match, overcame a series of low scores to contribute 76 runs. The 35-year-old acknowledged, "This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we aimed to achieve." He further expressed, "One day you feel you can't get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered." Kohli emphasized, "Now or never (that was my) last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to respect the situation rather than force it."
During the presentation ceremony, Kohli confirmed his departure from T20 internationals, stating, "This was an open secret, it's time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high." Kohli, previously the captain of India, demonstrated his batting prowess by scoring more in the final than he had throughout the tournament.
Rohit Sharma, who opened the innings alongside Kohli, had been the leading run-scorer for the team before the final, with 248 runs including three fifties. He leaves the format as the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals with 4,231 runs, surpassing Kohli's 4,188 runs. Rohit also holds the record for the most centuries in T20 internationals and has won two T20 World Cup titles, both as a player and as a captain.
In his post-game remarks, Rohit said, "This was my last (T20i) game as well. There is no better time to say goodbye to this format." He expressed his deep affection for the format, stating, "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 described the victory as a very emotional moment, adding, "I was very desperate for this title in my life. I'm happy that we eventually crossed the line."
Despite Rohit's struggle in the final, scoring only nine runs, Kohli and Axar Patel rebuilt the innings, contributing to a total of 176-7. The Indian team's exceptional bowling and fielding performance then limited South Africa to 169-8. Rohit praised Kohli's contribution, noting, "None of us doubted him, we know his quality." Kohli concluded his T20 international career with 4,188 runs in 117 innings, including one hundred and 38 fifties, at an average of nearly 49.
The match also marked the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's T20 coach. During the celebrations, the team lifted Dravid in the air, reflecting their gratitude for his significant contributions to Indian cricket both as a player and as a coach.
