Virat Kohli, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, has officially announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after India’s thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 victory over South Africa in Barbados. Kohli’s match-winning 76 off 59 balls in the final earned him the Player of the Match award, sealing a fitting farewell to his illustrious T20I career.
Moments after lifting the trophy, Kohli shared the news during the post-match presentation, followed by Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who also stepped away from the format. Speaking later on the RCB Podcast, Kohli elaborated on his decision, stating it was driven by a desire to create space for emerging talent.
“It’s about giving the next generation the time to settle, adapt to global conditions, and feel confident heading into the next World Cup cycle,” Kohli said. “It’s not about personal milestones, but about building continuity.”
Kohli ends his T20I journey with 125 matches, scoring 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, and was twice named Player of the Tournament (2014, 2016).
Despite retiring from internationals, Kohli continues to shine in IPL 2025, leading RCB with 443 runs in 10 matches, averaging 63.29. RCB currently holds second place on the table and will face CSK in a crucial upcoming clash.
Kohli’s graceful exit marks the end of an era and opens the door for India’s next T20 stars.
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