Virat Kohli the cornerstone of Team Indias batting lineup takes everyone by surprise by announcing hes stepping away from the shortest format. As he bids adieu he proudly lifts the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy leading the Men in Blue to a memorable sevenrun victory over South Africa at the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Kohli rose to the occasion for Team India when it counted the most clocking a vital 76 runs off 59 deliveries to secure a crucial victory. Despite a lackluster performance leading up to the final match the righthanded batter sparked a remarkable turnaround at the pivotal moment when the rest of the top order crumbled during the powerplay.
Virat Kohli stated that he wants to pave the path for the next generation of cricketers in the shortest format, hence he will not play in the 2026 T20 World Cup at home.
“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.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli added:
“We wanted to lift that cup. Wanted to Yes I have, this was an open secret. Not something that I wasn’t going to announce even if we had lost. Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation after being adjudged player of the match.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s spot in the T20 World Cup squad was under scanner
Virat Kohli faced scrutiny over his transition to the contemporary cricketing ethos with reservations lingering about his squad inclusion leading up to the event. Nonetheless his stellar performance in the IPL 2024 season with RCB not only allayed doubts but also highlighted his adeptness in the presentday Indian cricket setting.
Throughout the T20 World Cup campaign he encountered initial hurdles in performing at the top of the order. Currently with talented emerging openers such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill awaiting opportunities Kohlis decision to step back appears judicious and timely.