Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from T20 internationals, just after India secured their second T20 World Cup title in Barbados.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli said after being named Player of the Match for his 76 off 59 balls in India’s thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa. “This game is amazing. I told Rohit when we went out to bat that some days you feel like you can’t get a run, and then everything falls into place. God is great. I bow my head in gratitude. I’m really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team when it mattered most.
“This is my last T20 game for India, my last World Cup. I wanted to make the most of it. Our aim was to win an ICC tournament and lift the cup. The occasion helped me put my head down and respect the situation rather than forcing things, and to play the game my team needed me to play.”
Kohli confirmed his retirement plans, saying, “Yes, this was an open secret. This was going to be my last T20 World Cup for India, regardless of the outcome. It’s time for the next generation to take over. There are amazing players in India who will take the team forward in T20s, as we’ve seen them do in the IPL. I have no doubts they will keep the flag flying high and take this team further.”
India’s World Cup win is their first since the ODI World Cup in 2011, which was Kohli’s debut World Cup. He acknowledged that the achievement would take time to sink in.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli embraced after winning the T20 World Cup, reflecting on their long wait for an ICC tournament victory. “It’s not just me; look at someone like Rohit. He’s played nine T20 World Cups; this is my sixth. He deserves this as much as anyone else in the squad. We’re just happy to have accomplished our goal. It’s hard to explain the emotions after the game. I wasn’t feeling great in the last few matches, but when God decides to bless you, it happens in unimaginable ways. I am very grateful and humbled.”
Kohli concluded his 125-match T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, amassing 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. Despite a challenging World Cup with only 75 runs in seven innings before the final, Kohli’s 76-run match-winning performance came at the perfect moment.
Reflecting on his career and the final, Kohli told Star Sports, “I couldn’t have imagined this in my wildest dreams, especially considering my tournament performance up until now. It was a great lesson, humbling me. You have to put your head down and respect the situation. God showed me that if you get ahead of yourself, he will pull you back. Today, I felt different, more anchored and in sync with the situation. Rohit and I have often talked about winning a World Cup in this format before we go. This achievement is beyond my wildest dreams.”
