Virat Kohli’s Retirement from T20 Cricket
The Indian team made history under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma by winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title against South Africa. Just after this victory, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 International cricket, labeling the final match as his last T20 game for India. Kohli expressed his sentiment of achieving their goal and wanted to lift the cup, confirming his intentions of retiring from T20 format. He stressed the need for the next generation to take the game forward, acknowledging the significance of Rohit Sharma’s role in leading the team to victory.
Kohli’s T20 International Cricket Career
Having played a total of 125 T20 matches, Virat Kohli has scored 4188 runs with an impressive average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He has managed to score one century, 38 fifties, 124 sixes, and 369 fours during his T20 career, showcasing his excellence in the format over the years. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable journey in this shorter version of the game.
Indian Team’s Victory against South Africa
In the final match against South Africa, the Indian team batted first and scored 176 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. With a shaky start losing 3 wickets for just 34 runs, Virat Kohli steadied the innings by forming a crucial 72-run partnership with Akshar Patel. Kohli’s half-century in 48 balls was instrumental in guiding the team to a competitive total. The bowlers then stepped up to defend the target, with Hardik Pandya leading the way by claiming 3 wickets.
Africa’s Disappointment in the Final Game
Despite a valiant effort, South Africa fell short of the target, scoring 169 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Heinrich Klaasen’s brisk 52 runs and contributions from other batsmen were not enough to secure the victory. The Indian bowlers, especially Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Jaspreet Bumrah, played key roles in restricting the African team and eventually securing the title for India.
