Would Virat Kohli have announced retirement if India lost the T20 World Cup final? Kohli reveals

Virat Kohli declared his retirement from T20 Internationals on Saturday, following India's second T20 World Cup triumph. With a stellar performance, Kohli guided India to victory against South Africa.

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But would Virat Kohli have announced his retirement from T20I JUST IN CASE if India had lost the World Cup? 

Virat Kohli, a key batsman, declared his retirement from T20 Internationals after steering India to their second T20 World Cup triumph. Kohli's impressive 76 off 59 balls was instrumental in India's 7-run win over South Africa. He confirmed that the match marked his final T20I appearance for India. After the match Virat Kohli said: 

“This was my last T20 World Cup, this is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” Kohli told the broadcast after India’s win in a global tournament after 11 years.

“One day you feel like you can't get a run and this happens, God is great. (It is) just the occasion, now or never kind of situation. This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that cup,” 

“Yes I have, this was an open secret (retirement). Not something that I wasn't going to announce even if we had lost. Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward,” Kohli confirmed when asked if he was making the official announcement about him calling it a day.

Virat Kohli admitted that his retirement from T20 Internationals was already widely known. He emphasized that regardless of the match outcome, he was ready to announce it. Kohli expressed his belief in the need for the next generation to advance the T20 game.

India created history in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after they beat South Africa in the final

India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win their second T20 World Cup championship in an exciting final at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Having chosen to bat first, India scored a respectable 176/7 in their 20 overs. Axar Patel struck a rapid 47 off 31 balls to help Virat Kohli lead the way with a masterful 76 off 59 balls. Though Anrich Nortje also took two vital wickets, Keshav Maharaj stood out among the South African bowlers, grabbing two wickets for 23 runs in his three overs.

Reeza Hendricks was bowled by a stunning delivery from Jasprit Bumrah in the second over, setting off South Africa's chase on a stormy start. Heinrich Klaasen hit a brilliant 52 off 27 balls and Quinton de Kock batted 39 off 31 balls, but South Africa could not quite reach their target and finished at 169/8. With the ball, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah were superb; they each took two wickets apiece and kept tight lines. A vital 3/20 from Hardik Pandya in his three overs gave India the victory.

High drama surrounded the last over as Hardik Pandya defended 16 runs and claimed two vital wickets, including that of Kagiso Rabada, who Suryakumar Yadav expertly took on the boundary. Pandya retained his composure as South Africa needed eight off the final ball to win a historic match.

With vital contributions from every player, India's fielding and bowling were crucial to their victory. Moments that stood out were Bumrah's delivery to Hendricks and Suryakumar's amazing catch in the last over. India has not won a T20 World Cup in 17 years, and their triumph is evidence of their steady play all through the competition.

(With PTI inputs)