• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/30/2024
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Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from T20 internationals, joining Virat Kohli in stepping away from the format after India’s victorious campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The decision came after India’s thrilling win in the final against South Africa in Barbados.

“This was my last [T20I] game as well,” Rohit confirmed during the press conference after the final. “No better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the cup.”

It’s your Captain Rohit Sharma signing off from T20Is after the #T20WorldCup triumph! 🏆

He retires from the T20I cricket on a very special note! 🙌 🙌

Thank you, Captain! 🫡#TeamIndia | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/NF0tJB6kO1

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 29, 2024

Rohit expressed his deep emotions and desires by reflecting on the significance of the victory. “I wanted this badly. Very hard to put in words. It was a very emotional moment for me. I was very desperate for this title in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line,” he said, encapsulating the sentiment of a long and illustrious T20I career ending in a perfect finale.

Rohit Sharma Steps Away Form T20I as the Highest Run-Scorer of the Format

Rohit’s stats in the T20I format are nothing short of extraordinary. He retires as the highest run-scorer in T20 internationals with 4,231 runs in 159 matches. Additionally, he holds the record for the most centuries in T20Is, having scored five centuries.

That’s why he’s called Hitman Sharma. Notably, his career in this format began with the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, which India won, and now he has ended it on a high note by leading the team to victory in 2024.

While significant, Rohit and Kohli’s retirements from T20Is were somewhat anticipated. After India’s semi-final loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup, both players had taken a break from the format. They resumed T20I duties only in January 2024, with their eyes set on winning the T20 World Cup.

Also read Virat Kohli Announces T20I Retirement After Historic T20 World Cup 2024 Win

During the 2024 tournament, Rohit played a crucial role, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70, despite the challenging batting conditions in the USA and the West Indies.

His aggressive batting provided India with fast starts, pivotal in their journey to the title. Notably, he scored crucial half-centuries in the Super Eight match against Australia and the semi-final against England, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

However, the ‘Hitman’ Sharma confirmed his intention to continue playing in ODIs and Tests, ensuring that his presence will still be felt in the longer formats of the game. His retirement from T20Is marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, but his legacy in the shortest format is indelible.