T20 World Cup: How Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli got the perfect farewell they richly deserved

It is often hurled that there is no fairytale ending in the world of sports. However, on Saturday, two of the biggest stalwarts of Indian cricket- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma-put an end to their T20I stint in the most glorious fashion. Following India's triumph against South Africa at Kensington Oval in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, both Kohli and Sharma announced their respective retirement from the shortest format of the game. The dazzling duo has rendered fans a plethora of moments to cherish in the last decade-and-a-half and they leave on a high as World Champions of T20.

Also Read | Rohit Sharma Emulates Lionel Messi's Iconic FIFA WC Celebration | WATCH

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup 2024

The prolonged wait to witness Team India lift an ICC trophy finally ceased yesterday when the Men-in-Blue held their nerves to register a 7-run victory over the Proteas in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Virat Kohli, who had a torrid run in the entire campaign came up with a clutch performance in the final. Before the final, Kohli had accumulated a total of 75 runs in the T20 World Cup 2024, and in the grand finale, he bettered his cumulative by a run. A gritty knock of 76 was the need of the hour and courtesy of his knock, India reached 176/7 after 20 overs, which was adjudged as a par score on the surface. As India won the contest, King Kohli was given the man of the match award. While Kohli had a poetic end to his T20I career, Rohit Sharma has made history by becoming only the second captain after MS Dhoni to win the T20 World Cup for India. Hitman emerged as India's top-scorer in the World Cup with 257 runs. His innings (92 from 41 balls) against Australia in the Super 8 stage and a half-century knock (57 from 39) in the semi-final against England will remain as the innings for the ages.

Also Read | 'Priceless Birthday Gift': Dhoni Congratulates India on T20 WC Triumph

Cricket owed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma T20 World Cup trophy

An ICC trophy was a long due for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both men have served India incessantly for as long as one can remember. During their journey, both endured a series of heartbreaks. Most notably, the defeat against England in the T20 World Cup 2022 and the painful loss against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023. Nevertheless, all led to the era-defying T20 World Cup victory and it was a prize that destiny had in store for them for being persistent in their pursuit. It is a fitting end to the T20 careers of two of the greatest heroes of Indian cricket. Had they departed without experiencing the hard-fought win of yesterday, then it would have been marked as the biggest injustice in the world of sports. Thus, as time will pass and this fresh unreal feeling of having to witness India win the World Cup will be sunk, the memories of the enormity of this win will strike time and again and with it the vividness of how befitting the end was for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma abruptly bring out the three letter sentence- They deserved it.

Thank you, Virat Kohli. Thank you, Rohit Sharma. Cricket owed you this and fans will forever remain overwhelmed with your brilliance.