Cricket legend Virat Kohli bid farewell to T20 Internationals on a high note, leading India to a thrilling victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
Kohli’s gritty 76 runs proved to be the backbone of India’s innings, guiding them to a competitive total of 176 runs.
Electing to bat first in Bridgetown, Barbados, India faced early setbacks with the dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant. However, Kohli stood tall, stitching together a crucial partnership with Akshar Patel (47) to revive the innings.
South Africa, in pursuit of 177 runs, fell short by 8 runs. Jasprit Bumrah’s economical bowling spells kept the pressure on the Proteas, who were restricted to 169 runs despite a valiant effort.
Kohli’s exceptional performance earned him the Man of the Match award. But in a surprising turn of events, he used the post-match ceremony to announce his retirement from T20 Internationals.
“This was my last T20 match for India,” Kohli declared, emotions evident in his voice. “Winning the World Cup was a dream we all shared, and there was no better way to cap off this journey.”
Kohli emphasized the need to pave the way for the next generation of cricketers. “It’s time to create space for young talent,” he said. “I have full faith in the abilities of these upcoming players to take Indian cricket forward.”
Kohli leaves behind a remarkable legacy in T20 cricket. He holds the record for the highest number of runs scored in the T20 World Cup, with a staggering 1,292 runs to his name. His illustrious T20 career has seen him represent India in six World Cups, even claiming the Player of the Tournament title in both the 2014 and 2016 editions.
India’s T20 World Cup victory serves as a fitting farewell to Kohli’s T20 career. While his presence on the field will be missed, his contribution to Indian cricket remains etched in history. Now, the spotlight shines on the next generation, who will carry the torch forward, inspired by Kohli’s legendary achievements.
