Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the T20 format after leading India to a triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup final in an unexpected and poignant turn of events.
This momentous victory not only marked India’s first T20 World Cup title in 17 years but also served as the curtain call for Rohit’s illustrious T20 career.
Rohit’s journey in T20 internationals began with India’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, and it has now come full circle with this latest triumph in 2024. His decision to retire from T20Is came shortly after his teammate Virat Kohli also bid farewell to the shortest format of the game.
A Triumphant Farewell
In his post-match press conference, an emotional Rohit Sharma confirmed that the final match against South Africa would be his last T20I game.
“This was my last game as well,” he said, echoing the sentiment of Virat Kohli’s earlier announcement.
“I’ve enjoyed it since the time I started playing this format. No better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup.”
Rohit’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His contributions to the team over the years have been immense, and his leadership has been pivotal in India’s success in recent years. He expressed his gratitude towards coach Rahul Dravid, dedicating the T20 World Cup victory to him.
“What he has done for Indian cricket for the past 20, 25 years, this was the only thing left. I am very happy on behalf of the entire team that we could do this for him,”
Rohit said.
Celebrating a Stellar Career
Rohit also took the opportunity to laud his teammates, especially bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, and his long-time compatriot Virat Kohli.
“I am very lucky to have players like this in my squad, players who are playing for me and Team India – really, really grateful as well,”
he added.
Reflecting on his career, Rohit acknowledged the significance of this victory, describing it as one of the greatest moments of his life.
“This has to be the greatest time. I can say that. It’s only because of how desperately I wanted to win this. 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 said.
A Legacy of Greatness
Rohit Sharma leaves the T20 format as one of the most successful players in the history of the game. With 4231 runs in 159 matches, he is the format’s highest run-scorer and holds the record for the most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals.
His legacy includes two T20 World Cup victories: the first as a young player in 2007 and the latest as the captain in 2024.
The sight of Rohit lifting the trophy, reminiscent of his contributions to India’s first T20 World Cup win, symbolised the culmination of a remarkable journey. As he stood at the centre stage, the memories of past heartbreaks faded, replaced by the joy and pride of achieving the ultimate victory.
The Final Bow
As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two pillars of Indian cricket, bid adieu to T20 internationals, the cricketing world celebrates their contributions and the legacy they leave behind. Their departure marks the end of an era but also paves the way for new talents to rise and continue the tradition of excellence in Indian cricket.
In the words of Rohit Sharma, “This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup.” And with that, he exits the stage, leaving behind a legacy of triumph, dedication, and unmatched passion for the game.
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