India captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from T20Is after helping India win the T20 World Cup 2024 title on June 29. India defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 final at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, June 29. Interestingly, Rohit made his T20I debut in T20 World Cup 2007 and bid adieu in the T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma decided to focus on Test and ODI cricket for India, announcing his retirement from the T20 International format. Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20 Internationals following Virat Kohli's retirement.
Rohit Sharma announces retirement
“This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this (trophy) badly. It’s very hard to put in words,” Rohit told the post-match press conference.
“This what I wanted and it happened. I was very desperate for this in my life. Happy that we crossed the line this time,” he added.
Notably, Across his 159 T20 appearances, Rohit Sharma amassed 4231 runs at a strike rate of 140.89 and an average of 32.05. As captain in 62 matches, he scored 1905 runs at a strike rate of 149.76 and an average of 34.01, leading India to victory in 49 games.
Rohit's T20 career for India came full circle. It all began in the 2007 T20 World Cup against England, although he didn't get to bat due to Yuvraj Singh's explosive knock. His official debut came against South Africa in the same tournament, where he announced himself with a brilliant unbeaten fifty, contributing significantly to India's victory. Interestingly, his final T20 appearance also came against South Africa, at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He ended his career on a high note, finishing as India's top scorer in the tournament. With a strike rate of 156.7 and three crucial half-centuries against Ireland, Australia, and England, he truly rode off into the sunset in style.
"This has to be the greatest time. I can say that. It's only because of how desperately I wanted to win this. All the runs that I've scored in all these years, it does matter but I'm not big on stats and all of that. Winning games for India, winning trophies for India - that is what I look forward to all the time," Rohit signed off.
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