After a historic moment for Indian cricket, legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have retired from T20 internationals after clinching the T20 World Cup in Barbados. Their departure marks the end of an era that has seen India rise to prominence in the shortest format of the game.
The final against South Africa was a nail-biter, with India emerging victorious by a mere seven runs. Kohli, who had struggled throughout the tournament, found his form when it mattered most, scoring a vital 76 runs. This performance earned him the man of the match award and was a fitting farewell for a player who has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket.
Rohit Sharma, at 37, leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as India’s most capped T20 international player and the highest run-scorer, with 4,231 runs. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I’ve loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted. I wanted to win the cup and say thank you.”
Rohit’s admiration for Kohli was evident as he lauded his teammate, “He’s been a champion player without a doubt. We all know what he has done for us. At some point, everyone has to say goodbye to the game, and Virat was very clear that this is what he wanted to do.”
Jadeja, known for his all-round brilliance, also took to social media to express his emotions. “Like a steadfast horse galloping with pride, I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so in other formats. Winning the T20 World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 international career,” he wrote on Instagram.
The trio’s impact on the game extends beyond their impressive statistics. Kohli ends his T20 international career with 4,188 runs from 125 matches, while Jadeja has contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring 515 runs and taking 54 wickets in 74 appearances.
The final moments of the World Cup were intense. South Africa needed only 30 runs from the final five overs, but India’s bowlers rose to the occasion. Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch to dismiss David Miller in the 20th over was a turning point, sealing India’s victory.
Emotions ran high as Kohli received his player-of-the-match award. “This is my last T20 game playing for India, my last World Cup I was going to play. I wanted to make the most of it. And this was our aim. We wanted to lift the cup. I’m really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team when it mattered the most,” he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia.
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For Rohit, the victory was deeply personal. “It was very emotional, I wanted this badly. I was very desperate for this in my life, so I’m happy we crossed the line this time. All the runs that I’ve scored in all these years, it does matter, but I’m not big on stats and all of that. Winning games for India, winning trophies for India, that is what I look forward to all the time,” he shared.
Their retirement from T20 internationals doesn’t mark the end of their cricketing careers, as all three will continue to play in Tests and One Day Internationals. Their contributions have etched their names in the annals of cricket history, and their legacy will inspire future generations of cricketers. As India celebrates this World Cup triumph, it also bids a heartfelt farewell to three of its finest players in T20 cricket.
