T20 World Cup 2024: Is the ideal farewell ever really possible? Over the years, countless athletes have attempted, but failed, to time their farewells perfectly.
In life, emotions, expectations, and results rarely go hand in hand; this is especially true in sports. Nevertheless, the hunt goes on. In terms of their T20 international careers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the newest members of the team.
Some would argue that the two legends should put up their boots in the shortest format because they helped India win their maiden ICC title in 11 years. Then again, what if the opportunity had not presented itself?
The body and performance of elite athletes have a fleeting link. Star players are more likely to make awkward exits as they get older and sustain injuries. Because of this, the need for change is louder than ever, amplified by the shrillness of social media conversation.
Questions over Virat Kohli’s position and Rohit Sharma’s contribution to the Indian team surfaced months before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 got underway. And some of them continued till the big finale versus South Africa.
Prior to the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, the 35-year-old was not among the runs. After eight innings, two ducks and five single-digit scores had surpassed the highs of the Indian Premier League 2024 (in which Kohli won the Orange Cap with 741 runs from 15 matches), and it appeared that another setback was imminent.
For the veteran, retiring would therefore seem like a risky decision. However, an individual cannot outweigh the team, and a proud cricketer such as Virat Kohli would hate to stay too long.
However, fate had a unique plan for the former captain of India. Both captain Rohit and departing coach Rahul Dravid anticipated a massive blow from Kohli in the championship game, and when the team most needed it, Kohli delivered.
India needed Kohli to go back to his tried and true strategy of sinking anchor and pacing the innings before cutting loose in the later stages, especially with three crucial wickets lost in the powerplay. With grace, he accomplished that, his 76 runs providing the foundation for India’s winning 176-run total.
In the crucial game, Rohit, Kohli’s opening partner, was unable to score runs at the bat, but everyone praised his leadership. The ever-shrewd Rohit effectively rallied his team, and his bowling adjustments proved to be profitable time and time again.
But the one thing that stuck out among all the wins was how cheerfully ordinary the India captain was. Here was a man who had seen his Mumbai Indians captaincy abruptly changed to Hardik Pandya during the Indian Premier League. At the conclusion of the match, he was seen publicly giving Pandya a tender peck on the cheek.
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This was Rohit’s sixth T20 World Cup, and he led his team to a second one at the end of a journey that started with a historic victory in 2007.
After concluding as a devastating batter who could knock sixes practically at whim whenever he got going, Rohit Sharma leaves behind a great legacy.
However, Kohli exits as the ultimate chaser, a trait that fans of India will hopefully continue to appreciate in the 50-over format.
As the baton is passed on, players like Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are next in line; none of them received a game this time.
