India’s skipper Rohit Sharma decided to retire from T20 Internationals after leading the team to its second World Cup win in this format. He felt it was the right moment to “say goodbye”.

Shortly after Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket, India captain Rohit Sharma announced his decision to step away from the shortest format of the game on Saturday, June 29.

The two cricketers chose to end their T20I journey following India’s thrilling victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados. Kohli decided to retire after winning the Player of the Match award at the Kensington Oval, while Rohit confirmed his decision during a press conference after the win.

Rohit Sharma bids farewell to T20Is after T20 World Cup triumph

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20i cricket.

– A fairytale ending for two of the greatest ever. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Wj1lCT8kx3

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 29, 2024

“That was my last game as well. Honestly, I’ve cherished every moment since I began playing this format. There’s no better time to bid farewell to it. I’ve loved every bit of it. I started my India career with T20Is, and this is how I wanted to finish—winning the Cup and saying goodbye,” Rohit shared, even as reporters in Barbados encouraged him to continue playing.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma clarified that he will “very much” continue playing ODIs and Tests, emphasizing that he has retired only from T20 internationals.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma concluded their T20I careers on a high note, securing a World Cup title together for India for the first time. Kohli’s impactful 76 off 59 balls earned him the Player of the Match award, helping India reach 176 runs after being put in to bat first. India clinched victory by 7 runs in the thrilling final against South Africa to claim their second T20 World Cup trophy.

For Rohit Sharma, this victory marked the end of a long quest for a title as captain. Having faced disappointment in recent years, including a semifinal loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup and setbacks in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup, Rohit’s emotions overflowed as he celebrated on the field after the final delivery.

He jubilantly danced while collecting the T20 World Cup trophy during the presentation ceremony and proudly posed with Virat Kohli, holding the Indian flag together at the Kensington Oval.