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India's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup against South Africa was met with jubilant celebrations, but it also marked the end of an era for two of Indian cricket's most prominent figures. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, pillars of the Indian team, announced their retirements from the shortest format of the game, bringing their T20I careers to a close.
The news of their retirements followed a video that went viral, capturing the emotional moment when both Kohli and Sharma celebrated India's victory by wrapping the Indian flag around their shoulders. Rohit, holding the T20 World Cup trophy, symbolized the culmination of their journey in the shortest format.
Rohit Sharma, a veteran of all nine editions of the T20 World Cup, leaves behind a legacy of excellence. He won his second T20 World Cup title, 17 years after being part of MS Dhoni's victorious squad in the inaugural tournament in 2007. His 159 matches for India in the format saw him amass an impressive 4,231 runs, including five centuries, making him the top scorer in T20Is.
Kohli's journey in the T20 World Cup was marked by both triumphs and challenges. He faced doubts about his form leading up to the final, failing to score consistently in the tournament. However, in the final against South Africa, Kohli displayed his class, scoring a crucial 76 runs off 59 balls to lead India's batting and guide them to a competitive total of 176-7.
His performance was a testament to his ability to deliver when it mattered most. He had previously top-scored in the 2014 final, though India lost to Sri Lanka. In 2016, he struck an unbeaten 89 in the semifinal against the West Indies, but India fell short. And in 2022, he scored 50 in the semifinal defeat against England, finishing as the T20 World Cup captain.
Despite having slightly more runs than Rohit after six T20 World Cups, Kohli has chosen to end his 14-year T20I career on a high note. He has opted to step away from the format rather than continuing to the next World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in 2026. By then, he would be 37 years old.
The retirements of Kohli and Sharma mark the end of an era for Indian cricket. Their contributions to the sport are immeasurable, and their legacies will be etched in the annals of the game. As they move on to new chapters in their lives, their fans will fondly remember their achievements and the moments they brought joy to millions around the world.