Virat Kohli, one of cricket’s brightest stars, announced his retirement from T20 International cricket following India’s triumph over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Kohli’s pivotal innings of 76 runs off 59 balls played a decisive role in India’s victory, turning around a challenging start and propelling India to a formidable total of 176 runs.
He revealed his retirement immediately after the match, declaring it to be his final T20I appearance for India. Kohli expressed immense satisfaction at achieving this long-awaited victory in a global tournament, marking India’s first ICC title in 11 years. He highlighted the significance of the moment and expressed his belief that it was the right time to pass the mantle to the next generation of T20 players.
Reflecting on his decision, Virat Kohli acknowledged that his retirement from T20Is was a known outcome, even if India had not won. He credited the team’s collective effort and the support of fans for this memorable achievement.
Virat Kohli played a stunning knock in the final
Kohli’s announcement also underscored the achievements of other players, including Rohit Sharma, who has played in numerous T20 World Cups, and Jasprit Bumrah, who was recognized as the Player of the Tournament for his exceptional performance throughout the event.
He said, “This was my last T20 World Cup, this is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli told the broadcaster after India’s first win in a global tournament after 11 years. One day you feel like you can’t get a run and this happens, God is great. (It is) just the occasion, now or never kind of situation. This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that cup, Yes I have, this was an open secret (retirement). Not something that I wasn’t going to announce even if we had lost.”
“Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward,” Kohli confirmed when asked if he was making the official announcement about him calling it a day. “It’s been a long wait for us, waiting to win an ICC tournament. You look at someone like Rohit (Sharma), 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.”
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