Photo Credit: Cricexec
Immediately after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket.
One hour later, in his post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma announced his international retirement from the format as well.
Hardik Pandya, who bowled India’s last over and, along with the help of Suryakumar Yadav, secured the critical wicket of David Miller, will be taking up the leadership mantle of India’s T20 team.
Pandya was asked after the match about taking over from Rohit and Virat and looking ahead to the 2026 T20I world cup.
Pandya paid tribute to these two legends of India’s cricket:
“I there’s a lot of time until 2026. I’m very, very happy for Ro and Virat it has been, I think, very special – you know two giants of Indian cricket , two legends of Indian cricket who I think thoroughly deserved this. And it’s been so amazing playing with them for so many years in this format and obviously, we all will miss them.”
He went on to emphasize that it was wonderful to see them both go out on top:
“But at the same point of time, I think this is the best farewell as a teammate and as a Brotherhood, which we have created in this, we can give them. I mean, they’ve been giants. I can’t say much about them, they’ve been Legends in this field – I mean formats are not just this format but definitely, you know, very, very happy for them to end like this and, you know, enjoy and keep this memory for the rest of their lives.”
Pandya was joined in his tribute by luminaries throughout the cricketing world and beyond.
Longevity 🤝 Virat Kohli
Player of the Match in his FIRST and LAST #T20WorldCup game 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bLTQetZH9Y
— ICC (@ICC) June 30, 2024
Dear @imVkohli,
Glad to have spoken to you. Like the innings in the Finals, you have anchored Indian batting splendidly. You’ve shone in all forms of the game. T20 Cricket will miss you but I am confident you’ll continue to motivate the new generation of players. pic.twitter.com/rw8fKvgTbA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024
Great players. Great for India. What a moment to say goodbye to T20 internationals. pic.twitter.com/AUbPUn8rAg
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 29, 2024
Dear @ImRo45,
You are excellence personified. Your aggressive mindset, batting and captaincy has given a new dimension to the Indian team. Your T20 career will be remembered fondly. Delighted to have spoken to you earlier today. pic.twitter.com/D5Ue9jHaad
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2024
What a way to finish
Two of the greatest ever to play @imVkohli @ImRo45
What a grand farewell ending . Couldn’t get better
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#T20WorldCup #ViratKohli #T20WorldCup2024 #RohitSharma𓃵 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EGCQLhODmX
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 29, 2024
