Indian captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20 international cricket after leading India to victory in the World Cup final against South Africa. Following in the footsteps of his teammate Virat Kohli, who also announced retirement from T20 cricket, Rohit revealed his decision during the post-match press conference, marking a triumphant end to his T20I career. While he will continue to play in Test and ODI formats, Rohit decided it was time to step back from T20s, celebrating India’s historic second T20 World Cup title as the perfect moment to say goodbye.
Rohit Sharma’s T20I career spanned 17 years, beginning with a World Cup win and ending with another. Over the years, he became India’s highest run-scorer in T20Is, amassing 4231 runs from 159 matches with an average of 32.05. He also holds the record for the most centuries by an Indian batter in the format, with five to his name. Appointed as India’s full-time T20I captain in November 2021, Rohit capped his leadership with a 50th win as skipper. His final T20I performance saw him scoring 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.7 in the World Cup, with crucial half-centuries against Ireland, Australia, and England. Rohit’s career saw highs and lows, including a disappointing IPL 2024 season, but he bounced back in the World Cup, starting with a strong performance against Ireland and continuing with vital contributions in subsequent matches. His standout performances included a blistering 92 off 41 balls against Australia and a gritty 57 off 39 balls against England. His T20I journey also mirrored his ODI career, finding his true potential as an opener alongside Shikhar Dhawan, where he scored the majority of his runs.
Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is marks the end of an illustrious chapter in Indian cricket. His decision, alongside Virat Kohli’s, paves the way for the next generation of players to take over, ensuring the future of Indian cricket remains bright. With the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026 in India, Rohit and Kohli’s exit allows them to focus on ODIs and Tests, with major tournaments like the Champions Trophy and World Test Championship final on the horizon. As they step back from T20 cricket, their contributions and legacy will continue to inspire and shape Indian cricket for years to come.
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