After a thrilling victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, cricket legend Virat Kohli of India has announced his retirement from T20 International cricket. The announcement was made shortly after India’s thrilling final victory against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought.
In the T20 World Cup 2024 final, which took place on June 29, India batted first against South Africa and amassed a record-breaking 176/7, the biggest score ever in a T20 World Cup final. India successfully defended their score, restricting South Africa to 169/8 thanks in large part to Kohli’s brilliant performance of 76 runs off 59 balls.
“This was my final t20 World Cup, and our goal was to do this. You think you won’t be able to run one day, and then something happens. God is awesome, and I completed the team’s task on the crucial day. The last Twenty20 for India was about making the most of it, now or never. preferred to lift the cup in a respectful manner without pressuring the situation. It’s time for the new generation to take over, and some amazing players will lead the team and keep the flag flying high, as Kohli stated in the post-match interview. This was an open secret.
Also read: After the win in the T20 World Cup, India captain Rohit Sharma announces his retirement from the T20I format, jumping on the bandwagon of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, I bow my head.
In Twenty20 Internationals, the 35-year-old batter has had an incredible career. Kohli amassed an astounding 4188 runs in 125 T20 Internationals for India, including one century and 38 half-centuries.
“I’m playing in my sixth T20 World Cup; Rohit has played in nine. It’s something he deserves. Although I wasn’t confident in the previous several games, I’m thankful and modest today, and I bend my head. It’s been challenging, and the intensity of the game makes it hard to control emotions. Later on, the feelings would follow,” he said.
View this post on Instagram
India lost wickets early in the innings, so Kohli steadied the ship and forged important alliances with Shivam Dube (27), and Axar Patel (47). His six-balance and two-sixes innings turned out to be the difference between the two teams.
South Africa responded by going on a wild chase. India’s bowlers, spearheaded by Hardik Pandya’s three-wicket haul, retained their composure to win a seven-run victory despite heroic efforts from Quinton de Kock (39) and Heinrich Klaasen (52).