Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli following Kohli’s stellar performance in the final match of the ICC T20 World Cup against South Africa. Kohli, who had been struggling throughout the tournament, delivered a match-winning innings of 76 runs off 59 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award and helping India secure a formidable total of 176/7.
Ahead of the championship clash at the Kensington Oval, Rohit had backed Kohli, predicting a turnaround in his form. Kohli’s crucial innings came after India lost three early wickets in the powerplay, and his steady pace helped stabilize the innings before accelerating in the final overs.
“This was a very crucial innings from Virat,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation. “We were never in doubt about his form. He’s been a top player for 15 years, and big players always stand up when it matters. Virat held one end, allowing others to play around him. His experience was invaluable.”
Following the victory, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, marking the end of an era. Rohit praised Kohli’s contributions to the team and acknowledged the hard work and preparation over the past few years under coach Rahul Dravid’s leadership.
Reflecting on India’s journey, Rohit added, “It’s hard to sum up the last 3-4 years. We’ve worked incredibly hard as a team. Winning this tournament is the result of all the efforts and planning. We’ve faced high-pressure situations before and learned from them. This victory is a testament to the dedication and trust within the team and management.”
Rohit’s emotional response highlighted the significance of the win for the team and its fans, emphasizing the collective effort that led to lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.
India’s triumph and the retirement announcements from Kohli and Rohit signal a significant transition in Indian cricket, paving the way for a new generation of players to carry forward the legacy.
