Barbados, June 30 (UNI) In a momentous announcement that echoes through the annals of cricket history, Rohit Sharma has joined Virat Kohli in retiring from T20 internationals after India’s mesmerizing World Cup triumph over South Africa on Saturday.
Rohit, a colossal figure in India’s cricketing saga, revealed he would continue to grace the fields in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test cricket.
“This was my last [T20I] game as well,” Rohit declared in a poignant post-match press conference. “There’s no better time to bid adieu to this format. I’ve cherished every moment. I began my India career in this format, and it’s poetic to conclude it with a World Cup win.”
Reflecting on the exhilarating victory, Rohit’s emotions ran deep: “I wanted this so badly. It’s hard to articulate. This was an immensely emotional moment for me. I was desperate for this title in my life, and I’m ecstatic that we finally crossed the line.”
Rohit exits T20 internationals as its highest scorer, with a staggering 4231 runs in 159 matches, and he holds the record for the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals. His illustrious career bookends two T20 World Cup titles: the inaugural one as a player in 2007 and now as a triumphant captain in 2024.
The retirements of both Rohit and Kohli from the T20I format were anticipated. Neither had featured in T20Is since India’s semifinal heartbreak in the 2022 T20 World Cup and only resumed playing T20Is in January this year, their eyes set firmly on the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Rohit’s farewell tournament saw him emerge as the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 257 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 156.70, a testament to his mastery in challenging batting conditions in the USA and the West Indies. He was instrumental in providing India with explosive starts, delivering crucial half-centuries in their last Super Eight game against Australia and the semifinal against England.
Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20 internationals marks the end of an enchanting chapter in cricket, his legacy destined to inspire generations to come.
