Indian stalwart Virat Kohli announced the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup as his last T20I game. After India beat South Africa by seven runs in the main event clash, Player of the Match Kohli was seen in tears and emotionally announced his retirement from the shorter of white ball format.
Kohli, one of the greatest to have played the game, stitched a brilliant 76 runs from 59 balls when India was pushed down to 34/3 halfway through the fifth over. This helped India set up a 176-run total that South Africa failed to surpass in the second innings, losing by seven runs.
Following the win, Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match, and in the interview, he expressed that his retirement was a secret concealed from others.
“This was my last t20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, and then things happen.
The 35-year-old claimed that he desperately wanted to lift the cup and it was time for the next generation to take over the duties.
“Wanted to lift the cup, wanted to respect the situation rather than force it. This was an open secret, it’s time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high.”
Kohli made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2010, scoring 21-ball 26*. Fourteen years later, the Delhi-bred finished his tally of 4188 runs at an average of 48.69 in 125 matches.
