In a moment that stunned cricket fans worldwide, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals following India’s dramatic seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. This victory not only marked India’s second T20 World Cup title but also brought an emotional end to Kohli’s illustrious T20I career.
India Clinches Second T20 World Cup Title
India’s long-awaited ICC trophy drought came to an end with a thrilling win against South Africa in Barbados. The Indian team’s stellar performance, featuring remarkable contributions from Virat Kohli and Axar Patel with the bat and a superb display of death bowling by Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya, secured their second T20 World Cup title.
India’s victory was a testament to their dominance in the tournament, as they became the first team to capture the title undefeated. The win was especially significant, as it was India’s first ICC trophy since the Champions Trophy in 2013.
Kohli’s Emotional Farewell
Virat Kohli, one of the greatest batsmen in the history of T20 cricket, announced his retirement from the format during the post-match presentation. Kohli, who amassed 4,188 runs in 125 T20I matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, leaves the game as the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, just behind Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.
Speaking to broadcasters, an emotional Kohli said, “This was my last T20 World Cup. This is exactly what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel like you can’t get a run and this happens, God is great. Just the occasion, now or never kind of situation. This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that cup. Yes, I have, this was an open secret. Not something that I was going to announce even if we had lost. Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward and do wonders as we have seen them do in the IPL. I have no doubts that they will keep the flag waving high and take this team further from here now. It’s been a long wait for us just waiting to win an ICC tournament.”
Kohli’s T20I career is adorned with numerous accolades, including the most ‘Player of the Match’ (15) and ‘Player of the Series’ (7) awards, underscoring his immense contribution to the game.
A Final To Remember
In the final, South Africa, chasing India’s total of 176/7, faced early setbacks as Bumrah and Singh claimed quick wickets. Despite a valiant effort from Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 39 and 52 runs respectively, South Africa fell short, finishing at 169/8.
Kohli’s innings of 76 off 59 balls, supported by Axar Patel’s aggressive 47, laid a strong foundation for India. Axar’s partnership with Kohli, especially after India’s shaky start, proved crucial. The Indian bowlers, led by Hardik Pandya’s 3/20, kept their nerves in the death overs to seal the victory.
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