Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Retire From T20Is: The Two Legends of Indian Cricket Team
In the T20 World Cup 2024 Final against South Africa, India wins the match with 7 runs. This win marks the second time India has won the T20 World Cup and also marks the last T20 International of the two legendary: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from T20Is.
Thrill Winning of The T20 World Cup 2024
Start the match with the controversy about the two opening stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, when cricket enthusiasts wonder about their form, especially Virat, who only scored 75 runs due to the tough conditions of the pitch.
A Tough Start For India
However, India’s captain Rohit Sharma and many cricket experts still have confidence and said Virat probably saving his form for the Final. And Virat has not disappointed the hope.
Start the T20 World Cup 2024 Final match with the decision to bat first, the hope of India was broken a huge piece when facing the loss of Rohit Sharma early with just 9 runs from 5 balls and Rishabh Pant without a run. The last hope now is just Virat Kohli, who has a fast start but it’s not last long.
With tough bowlers from South Africa, Virat scored a fifty with 48 balls, a slow run that put the social in the storm. There was a lot of criticism about Virat Kohli’s form, claiming that he is a selfish and low-form player. However, that criticism was stopped soon as Virat Koli boosted his score to 76 of 59 balls, adding a huge score to the team’s total runs.
With Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 and Shivam Dube’s 27 off 16, India set a target of 177 runs for the Proteas.
Successfully Defended to Win the Tournament
Jasprit Bumrah, the cricket star known for his miraculous spell, scored the first wicket to dismiss Reeza Hendricks after just 5 balls with only a four and Arshdeep Singh, an explosive Indian bowler with the greatest form in this T20 World Cup 2024, sent South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram out of the field with the same score as Reeza.
However, India’s T20 World Cup 2024 title has been in danger with a quick start from South Africa as Heinrich Klaasen scored a fifty after just 23 balls. Fortunately, there is a bowler who shone bright right on time, Hardik Pandya.
After an over with 10 runs scored under the bowling, Hardik Pandya was back in the attack after being out for 6 overs. Instantly, the Mumbai Indians’ captain raised hope for India by dismissing the dangerous batsman Heinrich Klaasen in the first ball of his over. Not long after that, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav together made a historical wicket to send David Miller out of the field.
It was a low wide full toss from Hardik Pandya then Miller successfully stopped the ball and sent it back to the sky with such a powerful shot. The ball was on the way to cross the edge but, out of nowhere, Suryakumar Yadav showed up and caught the ball while dodging the cushion, he successfully stopped a four and sent Miller out with a beautiful catch in the first ball of the Death over.
Not stopping at that, Hardik kept his form and bowled Kagiso Rabada out to seal the winning for his team with a 3-wicket haul.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Retire From T20Is
Congratulations to the Indian National Cricket Team, who won the Final match against South Africa and became the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Champion. Such a great pride for Indian fans and the Men-in-Blue and a perfect time to announce the retirements. Today is the best day ever when India won a T20 World Cup edition after 17 years, and also a little sad day when 2 legendary cricketers of this era announced their retirement: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is.
Virat Kohli Retires From T20Is: The Announcement From “King”
After the brightening performance, Virat Kohli scored 76 off 59 balls for India and was named Player of the Match for his stunning knock. Virat caused a worldwide shock when he started his interview by saying this T20 World Cup 2024 is his last T20 International series and a step forward for the new generation.
In his speech, “King Kohli” mentioned his feelings during this T20WC season. Virat said that one day, if you feel like you cannot score a run, then the miracle will happen. He shared his own feeling about his journey, when he had not performed well in the whole season, joining the T20 World Cup Final with just 75 runs scored in total and creating a controversy about his form. However, he has done well to announce his retirement in such a perfect way.
Virat Kohli shared a thought about the Final match, saying it’s a “Now or Never” match, that he played with all his energy, and yes, the result was satisfactory, Kohli also mentioned that he felt grateful when he was able to perform well for his team in the last T20Is match.
The “Runs Machine” also said that he is not alone in waiting to win an ICC tournament. He mentioned Rohit Sharma, who already played in 9 T20 World Cup editions, compared to himself with 6 seasons. Kohli also showed his respect and gratitude to God, who he believed had blessed his performance.
Virat Kohli’s T20 International journey ends with many records: He is the 2nd most run-scorer in the T20Is with 4188 runs after 125 matches, behind Rohit Sharma with 4231 runs and 159 games. Kohli also takes the most T20Is Player of the Series awards with 7 and the most fifties in T20 International career with 39. “King Kohli” is the Fastest to 3500 runs in T20Is as well with 96 innings.
Rohit Sharma Retires From T20Is: Opening the New Era
After the match, Rohit Sharma, the 37 years old cricketer also announced his retirement from T20Is in the post-match press conference. Answer the interview, Rohit said it is no better time to say goodbye than this time, after winning the T20 World Cup trophy for the nation after 17 years. He talks about his desire to win this T20 tournament, which “can’t said through words”.
This retirement announcement is the end of Rohit Sharma’s marvelous T20 International career. India’s captain is the highest scorer in this format with 4231 runs after 159 T20I matches and also played the most T20I matches for India. He also has the most centuries in T20Is with 5.
Rohit Sharma’s T20 World Cup journey began in 2007 when India won the first T20 title. And now, he closes this journey with another title, the greatest way to end a journey and there are not many cricketers who can do it.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hold the record for the Most Appearances in ICC tournament finals with 8 matches, surpassing legendary cricketer Yuvraj Singh. In fact, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire were announced once.
Summary
After the announcement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from T20Is, we will not see these 2 India legend cricketers perform in future T20I tournaments anymore. But their legacy will live on forever worldwide. However, we are still able to admire their performance in ODIs and Tests.
