Following Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20Is after securing the ICC T20 World Cup title, his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma praised the decision, calling it timely and significant. The Men in Blue captured their second T20 World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados on Saturday.
Speaking on Star Sports, Rajkumar Sharma shared his thoughts on Kohli’s decision to retire from T20 cricket after the World Cup final victory.
“The decision Virat Kohli has taken is a big decision, and he has taken it on a very big occasion when India won the World Cup, and Virat Kohli won the Man of the Match award in the final. That is the highest point for any player when he says goodbye to a format from such a big stage. So it is a very big decision. I appreciate his decision as he said that he wants to give a chance to the youngsters,” Rajkumar said.
Sharma further stated that he believes Kohli will now be able to focus more on Test cricket.
“It is a very good decision, and it will help him to concentrate more on Test cricket. He likes Test cricket and he desires to perform more in the Test format. He has a very good mindset for Test cricket. I believe that he will be able to concentrate more on it and will do well for the country. I would like to congratulate the Indian team for winning the World Cup. I would like to congratulate the entire support staff, selectors, and BCCI for winning the World Cup. We have been looking for an ICC trophy for a long time, and it has been completed yesterday,” Rajkumar added.
Kohli, who managed just 75 runs in the first seven innings of the competition, delivered when it mattered most, scoring 76 in 59 balls, with six fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 128.81. Kohli ended the edition with 151 runs in eight innings at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 112.68, with one fifty.
In 35 T20 World Cup matches, Kohli has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His best score is 89*. He is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament.
In 125 T20I matches, Kohli scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties, with a best score of 122*. He ended the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time.
