Virat Kohli was awarded the man of the match for his crucial innings of 76, leading India to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. This victory marked a significant milestone as Rohit Sharma, aged 37, became the first Indian captain since 2011 to lift the coveted World Cup trophy. Kohli, at 35 years old, and Rohit currently hold the top two spots on the all-time list of T20 international run-scorers, highlighting their immense contributions to Indian cricket.
Reflecting on the historic win, Rohit Sharma expressed his deep affection for the T20 format, where he began his career for India. I have cherished every moment of this journey, Rohit remarked. From the beginning of my career, winning the T20 World Cup was a dream, and I’m grateful to have achieved it. This victory is not just for me but for all who supported us.
The departure of his former captain and teammate, Rohit praised Virat Kohli’s stellar career. Virat has been a champion player without a doubt, Rohit stated. His dedication and achievements for the team are unparalleled. It’s a natural part of every player’s journey to bid farewell to certain formats, and Virat has made this decision with clarity and conviction.
Ravindra Jadeja, aged 35, conveyed his heartfelt sentiments on Instagram, symbolizing his commitment to the Indian team. “I’ve always given my best for the country, and winning the T20 World Cup marks the pinnacle of my T20 international career,” Jadeja wrote. “Thank you to all who have supported and cheered for me throughout.”
Although Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja bid adieu to T20 internationals, they remain available for selection in Test matches and One-Day Internationals, continuing their contributions to Indian cricket across different formats.
The T20 World Cup final against South Africa was a gripping encounter, where Kohli’s crucial innings rescued India to a total of 176-7 after a challenging tournament for him. In the final overs, South Africa required just 30 runs, but India’s exceptional death bowling, coupled with a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss David Miller, turned the tide in India’s favor.
Emotional upon receiving the player-of-the-match award, Kohli reflected on his final T20 game for India and his last appearance in the World Cup. “I wanted to make the most of this opportunity,” Kohli said. “Our goal was to lift the cup, and I’m thankful that I could deliver when it mattered the most for the team.”
Kohli concludes his T20 international career with 4,188 runs from 125 matches, closely trailing Rohit’s tally of 4,231 runs. Rohit’s 159 caps are the most by any player in T20 internationals, and he shares the record for most centuries (five) with Australia’s Glenn Maxwell.
Rohit Sharma and Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan stand as the only players to feature in every T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007, a tournament that India clinched in its inaugural edition. India’s last World Cup triumph in any format was the 2011 50-over World Cup, and they had faced heartbreak in recent finals, losing the World Test Championship to Australia and the 50-over World Cup to the same opponent in November.
This victory holds immense emotional significance for me,” Rohit expressed. “It’s a dream fulfilled, and I’m overjoyed that we achieved this milestone. Throughout my career, my focus has been on contributing to India’s victories and winning trophies.
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