Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20 International cricket after guiding India to a historic T20 World Cup title in 2024. Following India’s thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final, Sharma decided it was the perfect moment to step back from the shortest format of the game.
Here are some key reasons for his decision:
- Achieving a Career Milestone: Sharma’s primary motivation was the satisfaction of winning the T20 World Cup, a title he had long desired. Securing this victory provided a fitting conclusion to his T20I career.
- Focus on Other Formats: By retiring from T20Is, Sharma can now concentrate on Test and ODI cricket, where he continues to play a crucial role for India. This decision allows him to manage his workload and prolong his career in these formats.
- Passing the Torch: Like Virat Kohli, who also retired from T20Is around the same time, Sharma believes it’s time for the next generation of players to step up and take on leadership roles in T20 cricket. This transition ensures a fresh perspective and new energy in the team.
Reflecting on his decision during the post-match press conference, Sharma said, “This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this trophy badly. It’s very hard to put in words. This is what I wanted and it happened. I was very desperate for this in my life. Happy that we crossed the line this time.”
Sharma’s retirement from T20Is marks the end of an illustrious chapter in his cricketing career, characterized by significant contributions and leadership in India’s journey to becoming T20 World Champions.
