India’s 7-run victory over South Africa in the Twenty20 World Cup marked a historic moment for Indian cricket, as star batter Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from international T20 matches. At a press conference after the final, Sharma expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for India and said that this was his last game in the format, marking the end of an illustrious career that saw him score 4231 runs in 159 matches.
Sharma, who has won two T20 World Cup titles in 2007 and the recent tournament, started his India career playing this format and felt that there was no better time to bid farewell than after achieving the ultimate victory. Despite Kohli’s struggles for form throughout the tournament, he played a crucial role in the final, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls and contributing to India’s win.
Sharma clarified that he would still be available to play test matches and one-day internationals for India, ensuring that he remains an integral part of the team in other formats. The victory marked India’s first major tournament success since hosting the ODI World Cup in 2011, ending a drought of near misses in various other tournaments.
The historic win brought joy and relief to Indian cricket fans and players alike, capping off an incredible journey in the T20 World Cup. Sharma expressed his emotions after achieving this long-awaited victory, stating that he was desperate for this win in his life and that he was glad they were able to come out on top this time.
