Rohit Sharma, the India captain, and Virat Kohli, the Man of the Final, announced their retirement from T20I cricket, after helping India win the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on June 29. India defeated South Africa in the final by 7 runs to lift the T20 trophy for the second time.
Virat Kohli won the Player of the Final for his 76-run knock and confirmed his T20i retirement during the post-match presentation. Rohit Sharma did the same during the press conference. Both retire as the top two all-time run-getters in the T20I format.
Numerous Pakistani cricketing legends, including Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad, commended the Indian duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for calling it quits on a high.
“I have always been a fan of Rohit's batting and try to follow him when matches are on TV. Kohli's greatness is there for all to see his records speak for itself but Rohit I am happy that he could win the World Cup for his country,” Zaheer Abbas said as per PTI.
Javed Miandad, a renowned Pakistani batter, believes the two iconic players chose the right time to retire from the game. He recognized their significant achievements in the sport and their respective teams.
“We will still see them in Test and 50-overs cricket but it is befitting for their career that they left T20 internationals in glory. The discipline and professionalism and fitness of Kohli makes him a top role model to follow and his admirers will be as good as him as well,” Miandad said.
Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain, attributed India's sustained success, including three ICC event finals in a single year, to a cordial connection between team management and players.
“Rahul Dravid and his support team deserve a lot of credit for what India has achieved today. He has given a clear pathway to the Indian team and the players,” Latif said.
Shahid Afridi praised Rohit's outstanding leadership skills and commended Kohli's consistent performance in crucial matches.
He said: “Both Rohit and Kohli have done the right thing to retire on a high after leading India to the World Cup title.”
Mohsin Hasan Khan, a former Test batter who has also served as a head coach and chief selector, praised the conduct of Rohit and Kohli.
“This is how you retire from any format in glory. But I am very impressed by the hunger of these two senior players, particularly the way Rohit led the side to finally win a World Cup,” he said.
(PTI inputs)
