Within an hour of spreading joy after winning the T20 ICC Men’s World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma left his fans sobbing, as he announced his retirement just after Kohli made its intention clear on the future cricket plans.
Usually after a big sporting event players are seen retiring from the disappointment of losing but here however for the first time these well known cricketing experienced players have announced their retirement plan from the T20I format of International sports right after winning the trophy.
Barbados was buzzing with excitement on Saturday,29th June 2024 with an exciting and thrilling clash of Finale of the T20 World Cup 2024 match. After two tough final losses with Rohit Sharma as captain, India overcame their past troubles and won the T20 World Cup 2024 with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa.
Rohit Sharma T201 Career Overview:
Having played a total of 159 matches in the T20I format, Hitman has amassed 4231 runs in the format with the highest individual score of the 121 and playing with the average of 31.34 and strike rate of 140.89, Rohit has incredibly recorded five centuries and 32 half centuries in his name while hitting a total of 383 fours and 205 smashing sixes.
Rohit Sharma Retirement: New Captain to Lead “Men in Blue”
Fans couldn’t even get out of the retirement shock that Kohli delivered post match win when the presenter Harsha Bhogle asked about his future plans. Following it after nearly two hours the fans were hit with another shock, i.e Rohit Sharma retirement from the T20I format. Yes, in the post-match conference the former Men in Blue captain announced that he was bidding adieu to T20I cricket.
“This was my last game as well,” the captain said in his post-match press conference, referring to Virat Kohli’s earlier announcement that he will be retiring from T20Is.
“I’ve enjoyed since the time I started playing this format. Better a time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this.
“This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup,” and he saluted the room, to applause from the media.
Winning the trophy and taking home a new title helped him recover from the 19th November 2023 CWC final defeat. Under his captaincy India has lifted its second T20 world cup after the inaugural win under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“Winning games for India, winning trophies for India – that is what I look forward to all the time.” Rohit stated in the conference. With the retirement, he would be looking for the ODI, Test format and will be playing for the red ball format .
Future Captain and Issues after Rohit Sharma Retirement
His retirement will bring on a new captain for the men in blue in the T20 format, while Hardik will be playing the role of captain for the same format there are other players who could emerge as better option, like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill who have experience of leading team in the IPL and also in the international matches.
Not only will the team face captaincy issues but will also be in dilemma for leading the team in the forefront with Rohit departing from the format, it brings down a question that now who will be the opening batsmen for the Indian Team. India will face the void of the Rohit Sharma retirement, but that’s what the game is for, one day you have to bid farewell knowing that it won’t be young and same forever.
With the promising talented youngsters, India will continue to play in the T20 format, but the space of a Hitman in people’s hearts will be his forever.
