BCCI
Rohit Sharma says goodbye to T20I after Kohli's retirement
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India skipper Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Twenty20 International cricket after India beat South Africa by seven runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.
Rohit said he would be continuing for India in Test and ODI formats but that he was stepping back from the shortest form.
Rohi's announcement came shortly after his team-mate Virat Kohli also said he was retiring from T20 internationals.
"This was my last game as well," the captain said in his post-match press conference, referring to Kohli's earlier announcement that he will be retiring from T20Is.
"I've enjoyed since the time I started playing this format. Better a time to say goodbye to this format. I've loved every moment of this.
"This is what I wanted - I wanted to win the cup," and he saluted the room, to applause from the media.
It was India's first T20 World Cup win since 2007 and also their first win in the final of an ICC tournament since 2013.
He had earlier dedicated the T20 World Cup triumph to coach Rahul Dravid - with gratitude for his contribution to the sport.
"What he has done for Indian cricket for the past 20, 25 years, this was the only thing left.
"I am very happy on behalf of the entire team that we could do this for him."
Asked if it was the best moment of his career, Rohit agreed it was certainly up there with the highlights thus far.
"This has to be the greatest time. I can say that. It's only because of how desperately I wanted to win this. All the runs that I've scored in all these years, it does matter but I'm not big on stats and all of that.
"Winning games for India, winning trophies for India - that is what I look forward to all the time."