Barbados, (UNI) In an emotional revelation following India’s stunning victory in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli announced that this tournament marked his final appearance in T20 internationals.
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Kohli expressed his gratitude and sense of fulfillment in achieving what the team set out to do.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, this is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli stated here on Saturday. “One day you feel like you can’t get a run and then this happens. God is great. Just the occasion, now or never kind of situation.”
Kohli confirmed that his retirement decision was not a spur-of-the-moment revelation but a planned conclusion to his illustrious T20 career. “This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that Cup. Yes, I have [planned this], it was an open secret. Not something that I wasn’t going to announce even if we had lost. It’s time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward.”
Reflecting on the long journey and the team’s perseverance, Kohli acknowledged the challenges and the collective effort. “It’s been a long wait for us, waiting to win an ICC tournament. You look at someone like Rohit, he’s played nine T20 World Cups and this is my sixth. He deserves it. It’s been difficult to hold things (emotions) back and I think it’s going to sink in later. It’s an amazing day and I’m thankful.”
As Kohli steps away from T20 internationals, his legacy in the format remains indelible. His leadership, batting prowess, and passion for the game have inspired countless fans and aspiring cricketers. The cricketing world now looks forward to witnessing the next generation carry forward the torch he has so brilliantly held aloft.
