He announced his retirement after receiving the Player of the Match award in the T20 World Cup final.
Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from T20 international cricket on a high note, celebrating India’s victory in Barbados where they secured their second T20 World Cup title. Kohli, honored as the Player-of-the-Match for his outstanding 76 runs off 59 balls in India’s thrilling seven-run win over South Africa, expressed his joy and gratitude after the match.
“This was my final T20 World Cup, and achieving this victory was our ultimate goal,” Kohli remarked. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of cricket, he shared, “Today, I told Rohit that sometimes you feel you can’t score, and then suddenly everything falls into place. It’s a testament to the greatness of the game. I am deeply thankful for being able to deliver when it counted the most for the team.”
“This match marks the end of my T20 journey for India, my last World Cup appearance,” Kohli added. “I wanted to make every moment count. Our objective was clear – to win an ICC tournament, to lift the trophy. I focused on respecting the game and playing the role my team needed from me, rather than forcing outcomes.”
Yes, I have. It was no secret that this would be my last T20 World Cup with Team India,” Kohli confirmed when asked about his retirement. “It’s time for the next generation of players to step up. Over the past two years, we’ve seen some incredible talent emerge in India, especially in the IPL. I have full confidence they will carry the team forward in T20 cricket and achieve great things.”
Reflecting on India’s victory in the World Cup, their first since the 2011 ODI World Cup where Kohli had also played a crucial role, he expressed his emotions. “It’s been a long wait for us to win an ICC tournament,” he noted. “This victory means a lot, not just to me but also to players like Rohit Sharma, who has been a part of nine T20 World Cups. We are all delighted that we could achieve this together. After the game, I felt a mix of emotions. Despite not feeling my best in recent matches, sometimes blessings come when you least expect them. I am deeply grateful and humbled by this experience.”
“The full impact of this win will sink in later, and the emotions will come flooding in,” Kohli added. “It’s truly a remarkable day, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Kohli concluded his T20I career with 4188 runs in 125 matches, making him India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, just behind Rohit Sharma. His average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04 highlight his consistency and impact over the years. Despite a challenging T20 World Cup where he struggled with just 75 runs in seven innings leading up to the semi-final, Kohli turned the tables with a crucial 76 off 59 balls in the final match.
“I never imagined this scenario, especially given my performance earlier in the tournament,” Kohli shared in an interview with Star Sports. “It’s been a profound lesson for me, humbling me deeply. I had to set aside my ego and focus on respecting the game. If you start believing you’re invincible, life has its ways of reminding you otherwise.”
“Today was different. I felt more grounded, more attuned to the game situation. I was given the clarity to let go of past struggles. As a senior player, there’s always pressure to deliver, especially in a World Cup. Rohit and I often discussed our goal to win in this format before stepping back from international T20s. These moments are beyond what you could ever dream of.”