India captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from T20 international cricket following India's victory in the World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday. Rohit confirmed he will continue to play for India in the Test and ODI formats but will step back from the shortest format of the game. His announcement comes shortly after teammate Virat Kohli also retired from T20 cricket for India.
"No better time to say goodbye," Rohit stated during the post-match press conference as he celebrated India's historic second T20 World Cup title. This decision marks a fitting conclusion to Rohit's T20I career, which began with a World Cup win and ends with another. Over his 17-year career, Rohit achieved unprecedented success, becoming India's highest run-scorer in T20Is with 4,231 runs from 159 matches at an average of 32.05. He also holds the record for the most centuries by an Indian batter in the format, with five centuries.
"This was my last game as well. I've enjoyed every moment since I started playing this format. This is what I wanted - I wanted to win the cup," Rohit added, receiving applause from the media as he saluted the room.
Rohit made his T20I debut in the 2007 T20 World Cup against England, although he did not get a chance to bat due to Yuvraj Singh's explosive performance. His first significant game for India in T20Is was against South Africa, where he scored a scintillating 50 not out, playing a crucial role in India's win. Fittingly, Rohit's final game was also against South Africa, where he signed off as India's highest scorer in the T20 World Cup with 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.7, including three crucial half-centuries against Ireland, Australia, and England.
Rohit's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian T20 cricket, as fans and teammates alike celebrate his contributions and achievements in the format.
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