Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bid farewell to T20Is following India’s thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Kohli made his announcement after being named Player of the Match for his crucial 59-ball 76 in his final T20I, which helped secure India’s second T20 World Cup title.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma confirmed his decision during the post-match press conference.
“This was my last game as well.
No better time to say goodbye to this format.
I’ve cherished every moment of it.
I began my career with this format, and winning this World Cup was my ultimate goal,” said Rohit Sharma.
“It’s hard to express in words.
It’s been an emotional journey for me.
Winning this title meant a lot.”
Rohit, who debuted in T20Is during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 against England, amassed 4231 runs in 159 matches for India, ending as the country’s highest run-scorer in the format.
He notched up five centuries, including a career-best 121 not out against Afghanistan earlier this year, along with 32 half-centuries.
Rohit also concluded his T20I career as India’s most successful captain, with 50 wins, two more than Pakistan’s Babar Azam.
Earlier, speaking to the official broadcaster after receiving the Player of the Match award, Kohli stated, “This was my last T20 World Cup, and winning it was our ultimate objective.
Sometimes you feel like you can’t score, and then this happens.
It’s a remarkable feeling.
This was my final T20 game for India, and lifting that trophy was our collective goal.”
“Yes, I have announced my retirement from T20Is.
This was not something I was going to keep quiet about, win or lose.
It’s time for the next generation to carry forward T20 cricket,” added Kohli.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, waiting to win an ICC tournament.
Look at someone like Rohit, who has played nine T20 World Cups, and this was my sixth.
He truly deserves this.”
Kohli, who made his T20I debut in June 2010, played 125 matches for India, scoring 4188 runs, including one century and 38 half-centuries.
He was awarded the Player of the Tournament twice in the T20 World Cups of 2014 and 2016 and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, behind his longtime teammate Rohit Sharma.
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