Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is, while Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach ended.
Legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to celebrate India’s T20 World Cup 2024 title win. He also paid rich tributes to India captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid and batter Virat Kohli.
India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in the final which was played in Barbados on June 29. It was an amazing game that went right down to the final over. India had posted 176/6 in 20 overs with Virat Kohli top-scoring with 76 and Akshar Patel making 47.
In response, Heinrich Klaasen made 52 and with contributions from Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs, took South Africa close to the total. But it was not to be for the Proteas as they fell short by 7 runs, finishing on 168/8 in 20 overs.
After the match, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from T20I format and this was also the final assignment of Rahul Dravid as India head coach.
Sachin Tendulkar paid rich tribute to coach Rahul Dravid on X in a post celebrating the win.
He wrote: “Every star added to the Team India jersey inspires our nation’s starry-eyed children to move one step closer to their dreams. India gets the 4th star, our second in @T20WorldCup. Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World Cup to becoming a cricketing powerhouse and winning the T20WC in 2024. Very happy for my friend Rahul Dravid, who missed out on the 2011 World Cup win but his contribution to this T20 World Cup victory has been immense. I am so so happy for him.
What can one say about @ImRo45? Superb captaincy! To put the 2023 ODI World Cup loss behind us and to keep all our players motivated towards the T20 World Cup is commendable.@Jaspritbumrah93's Player of the Tournament award as well as @imVkohli's Player of the Match award are both well-deserved. They were just superb when it mattered.
Along with Rahul, Paras Mhambrey and Vikram Rathour also made their international debuts in 1996. It was wonderful to see Team India excel under the guidance of this class of '96.A total team effort. Hearty congratulations to all the players, coaches, support staff, and @BCCI.”
Tendulkar also played homage to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and lauded them on an excellent T20I career for India.
Tendulkar wrote: “@ImRo45- I’ve witnessed your evolution from a promising youngster to a World Cup-winning captain from close quarters. Your unwavering commitment & exceptional talent have brought immense pride to the nation. Leading ???????? to a T20 World Cup ???? victory is the perfect culmination of your stellar career. Well done, Rohit!
@imVkohli, you have been a true champion of this sport. You may have had a rough time earlier in the tournament, but last night you proved why you’re truly one of the greats of the gentleman's game. Competing in six World Cups and clinching victory in the last one is an experience I know well. I hope to see you continue winning matches for India in the longer formats of the game.”