(ICC Photo)
Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi shared his thoughts on the retirement of veteran Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20I cricket following India’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final. Afridi also commended the Indian team for their triumph in the thrilling final match.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been stalwarts in India’s batting lineup across all international formats. Their decision to retire came after India’s tense seven-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29.
The emotional moment marked India’s end to an 11-year drought in ICC trophies, securing their second T20 World Cup title since their inaugural win in 2007. Fans, former cricketers, and current players alike paid heartfelt tributes to Kohli and Sharma on their T20 retirements.
Shaheen Afridi – Congratulations Both On Your Amazing T20I CareerÂ
Virat Kohli expressed contentment with lifting the trophy in his final T20 World Cup appearance. Confirming his retirement from T20Is, the 35-year-old highlighted the significance of the victory. Shaheen Afridi acknowledged Kohli’s retirement and extended congratulations to India for their World Cup triumph. Afridi described it as a memorable conclusion to an illustrious T20I career.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to lift the cup, wanted to respect the situation rather than force it. This was an open secret, it’s time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high,” Kohli said while accepting the Player of the Match award.
“Memorable end to a remarkable T20I career, Congratulations India on winning the T20 World Cup,” Shaheen wrote on Instagram.
“Congratulations both on your amazing T20I career,” Afridi added
Virat Kohli has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the only player to feature in all four ICC white-ball tournaments. He previously triumphed in the U19 World Cup in 2008, the Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013, now adding the T20 World Cup in 2024 to his illustrious list of achievements.
In the final match against South Africa, Virat Kohli’s pivotal contribution earned him the “Player of the Match” award. He crafted a crucial half-century, scoring 76 runs from 59 deliveries, setting a challenging target of 177 runs for South Africa. Rohit Sharma, however, managed just nine runs off five balls before being dismissed by Keshav Maharaj.
