'No better time to say goodbye...' Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement from T20Is After Emulating MS Dhoni

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In a historic moment for Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20 Internationals, moments after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. India defeated South Africa by seven runs, securing their second T20 World Cup title and equaling the achievements of England and West Indies.

Rohit Sharma, who was the leading run-scorer for India in this edition, couldn't make a significant impact with the bat in the final. However, his leadership shone through as he skillfully marshalled his team to a nail-biting victory. Also Read: Virat Kohli retires from T20Is after T20 World Cup victory

While interacting with the media at the post-match press conference, Rohit declared he too had played his last T20I game, just like Virat. The 37-year-old said, "This was my last T20I game as well. I have enjoyed it since the time I started playing this format. And no better time to say goodbye to this format. I loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing for this format. I wanted to win the cup."

Rohit Sharma T20I career

Reflecting on his illustrious T20I career, Rohit, who debuted in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, finished with 4,231 runs, including five centuries and 32 fifties in 159 matches.

In his post-match speech, Rohit expressed pride in the team's journey, stating, "Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years. We worked very hard as individuals and as a team, and a lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and win this game.

"We have played lots of high-pressure games in the past as well and have been on the wrong side as well. But the guys understand what needs to be done. Today was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall, what is required. We stuck together as a team and the guys, all of us, even when at one point it was looking South Africa's way.

"Overall, as a team, as a group on the field, we wanted this really bad. We wanted to win this. To win a tournament like this, a lot goes behind the scenes, a lot of effort, a lot of minds need to come together."

Rohit lauded the collective effort, highlighting the importance of teamwork and the role of experienced players like Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings brilliantly. He also highlighted Axar Patel's crucial knock of 47 and praised Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling, describing him as a "class act."

The Mumbaikar further stated, "I am very proud of this bunch of boys I have and the management as well for giving us that liberty to go and play, to execute, for having that trust in each one of us."

As the second Indian captain to win a T20 World Cup after MS Dhoni, Rohit acknowledged the support from fans across the globe and dedicated the victory to them, stating, "This is for them. Very, very proud of what we have achieved today."

With their retirements, India bids farewell to two legends of the game, closing a remarkable chapter in T20I history and setting the stage for a new era in Indian cricket.