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Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, praised the former Indian captain for setting a high standard with his decision to retire from T20Is after India’s victory in the World Cup. Sharma also congratulated the Indian team for their triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
Led by Rohit Sharma, India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29. Following the win, Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket, revealing that the final match was his last in the shorter format for India.
Kohli, aged 35, earned the “Player of the Match” award for his outstanding half-century in his final T20I appearance. He played a crucial role after India lost three early wickets, scoring 76 runs off 59 deliveries, which included six fours and two sixes, helping India reach a total of 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Rajkumar Sharma – This Why Virat Kohli Is Called King Kohli
In an interview with ANI, Rajkumar Sharma lauded Virat Kohli for his standout performance as ‘Player of the Match’ in the ‘remarkable win’ during the final. Rajkumar highlighted Team India’s strong spirit and their knack for sustaining momentum under pressure.
I want to congratulate the whole nation for this tremendous victory,” Rajkumar told ANI.
“The morale of Team India is high, they have been undefeated (throughout the T20 World Cup 2024), and we didn’t lose even one match. There were difficult situations but they kept their momentum. He played really well. This is why he is called King Kohli,” Rajkumar added.
Before the final match, the Delhi-born cricketer faced difficulties in scoring runs. He managed only 75 runs at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100, which was disappointing. However, Kohli showcased his true value when the Indian team needed him most. His performances ensure he will be remembered as one of the finest T20I batters globally.
Rajkumar Sharma commended Virat Kohli for his role in Indian cricket, emphasizing that it’s now up to younger players to take charge. He applauded Kohli’s decision to retire on a positive note following the World Cup victory, citing it as a benchmark for excellence in Indian cricket.
“He (Virat Kohli) has done so well for the country. He feels that this is the time for the youngsters to take responsibility though he would be playing in the other two formats… He was happy about winning the World Cup and I appreciated his decision that he is retiring, leaving a high bar and he is setting an example in Indian cricket…,” Rajkumar further stated.
Shortly after Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 internationals, Indian captain Rohit Sharma followed suit. It’s expected that all-rounder Hardik Pandya will take over as captain in T20I cricket. Pandya has been rested for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, with Shubman Gill set to lead the second-string team in his absence.
