By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Virat Kohli’s Retirement T20 International Cricket: India won the T20 World Cup for the second time, defeating South Africa by seven wickets in an exciting final. Virat Kohli, who struggled with his form throughout the World Cup, has again demonstrated why fans refer to him as ‘King Kohli’. After winning the dramatic match in the ICC tournament’s final, Kohli astonished his supporters by declaring his retirement from T20 international cricket. He had an exciting start to the innings, smashing three fours in the first over of the final match. When asked about Kohli before the match, skipper Rohit stated that his finest performance is still to come. Kohli proved the captain correct. A look back at Kohli’s international T20 cricket career, which he declared would end after 125 matches.
Virat Kohli, the Indian team’s standout batsman, made a huge revelation after winning the title against South Africa, stating that this is his final T20 World Cup and that he wants to give young players an opportunity. Kohli has also bid goodbye to international T20 cricket, but he will continue to play in the IPL. India won the T20 World Cup for the second time, defeating South Africa by seven wickets in an exciting final.
“It’s time for the next generation to take the game forward.”
Kohli batted excellently in this match, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Kohli won the Player of the Match award thanks to his vital innings. While accepting the prize, Kohli stated, “This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve.” When you feel like you can’t run anymore, something happens; God is amazing. Just the opportunity; it was now or never. This was the last T20 match I played for India. We wanted to lift the cup. Yes, I am making an announcement, and it is an open secret. Even if we lost, there was nothing I would not announce.
Virat Kohli debuted for the Indian team in a T20 match against Zimbabwe.
on June 12, 2010. Kohli played 125 matches for the Indian side, scoring 4188 runs with a strike rate of 137.04. Kohli concluded his T20 career with the second most runs scored in the game’s shortest format. Kohli’s highest personal T20 score was 122 not out. During this time, he scored one century and 39 half-centuries with his bat. Kohli tied Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for the most 50+ runs scored in the game’s shortest format.
Took part in six World Cups of T20.
In his fourteen-year international T20 career, Virat Kohli has taken part in six T20 World Cups. In the T20 World Cups in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022, and 2024, Kohli competed. In 2014, during his second T20 World Cup, Kohli came very close to winning the world championship. India advanced to the event final at that time as well, but the squad was defeated by Sri Lanka. Throughout the 35 T20 World Cup matches, Kohli amassed 1292 runs at a strike rate of 128.81. In this international competition, Kohli amassed 15 half-centuries, with his highest individual score of 89 not out. At the end of his international T20 career, Kohli won the world championship.