After leading India to victory in the World Cup. Ace batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the shorter format of cricket on Saturday, the day he played his final T20 match.
Virat Kohli’s Retirement
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered.
“Now or never, last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to lift the cup, wanted to respect the situation rather than force it.
This was an open secret, it’s time for the next generation to take over. Some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high,” he added.
In the final, South Africa was seven runs short of their mark while chasing 177.
Quinton de Kock Firing Batting
Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen were the only players to show any resistance against the Indian bowling attack; they scored 39 off 31 and 52 off 27, respectively.
Rohit Sharma had previously chosen to bat first after winning the toss. When Rohit, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav fell early in the innings, the decision did not initially appear correct.
Nevertheless, Kohli, who struggled throughout the T20 World Cup 2024, struck 76 runs off of 59 balls to lead India to a total of 176 at a seven-wicket deficit.
While accepting the Player of the play trophy, Kohli also declared that he will hang up his boots because this was his final T20 World Cup and T20I play as an Indian representative.
After starting his illustrious Twenty20 International career in 2010, Kohli went on to play for India in 125 T20Is, where he averaged 48.69 and scored 4,188 runs.
India’s Second T20 World Cup
This is India’s second T20 World Cup championship. In the 2007 T20 World Cup, the nation defeated Pakistan in the championship match to win their first T20 World Cup title.
India’s trophy streak also comes alive with this T20 World Cup 2024; under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, they won the Champions Trophy in 2013, their previous ICC trophy.
To read our blog on “India sets successful target of 177-run in the T20 final,” click here
