In a historic turn of events, India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title with a thrilling victory over South Africa. Following the match, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is, marking the end of an illustrious career in the game’s shortest format.
India’s Victory Over South Africa
India faced South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, held in Barbados. India emerged victorious by 7 runs, setting a target of 177 runs which South Africa narrowly missed. The Proteas were restricted to 170 runs, thanks to stellar performances by the Indian bowlers.
Virat Kohli’s Retirement Announcement
Post-match, in an emotional interaction with Harsha Bhogle, Virat Kohli confirmed that the final against South Africa was his last T20I match for India. Kohli, who scored a crucial 76 off 59 balls, was named Player of the Match. He shared his thoughts on retirement and his performance in the tournament.
“When asked if it was time to carry Kohli, referencing the 2011 World Cup celebration for Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli responded that Rohit Sharma deserved the honor, having played nine T20 World Cups compared to his six. Despite recent struggles with confidence, Kohli expressed gratitude and humility, acknowledging the difficulty of managing his emotions on such a significant occasion.
“Rohit has played nine T20 World Cups, this is my sixth. He deserves it. I wasn’t confident in the last few games, but grateful and humble right now, and I bow my head. It’s been difficult, and the emotions of the game… it’s difficult to hold things back. The emotions will come later,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli’s T20I Career in Numbers
Kohli’s T20I career is nothing short of spectacular. Over 125 matches, he scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.7 and a strike rate of 137.04. His career includes one century and 38 half-centuries. Despite a challenging tournament, Kohli delivered when it mattered most, scoring his first half-century of the tournament in the final.
Highlights of the Final Match
India, opting to bat first, faced early setbacks with the quick dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav. However, Kohli anchored the innings, helping India post a competitive total of 176/7.
South Africa’s chase saw resistance from Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 39 off 31 and 52 off 27, respectively. However, India’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, restricted the Proteas to 170, falling seven runs short of the target.
Kohli’s Legacy and Future Prospects
Virat Kohli leaves behind an indelible mark on T20I cricket. His decision to retire paves the way for the next generation of cricketers to step up, with the next T20 World Cup scheduled in two years. Kohli’s illustrious T20I career, beginning in 2010, has seen him set numerous records and become one of the finest batsmen of his generation.
India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 not only brings joy to millions of fans but also serves as a fitting send-off for Kohli, one of cricket’s modern-day greats.