The 2024 T20 World Cup was a history-making event for several reasons. It marked the first time the ICC tournament featured a record-breaking 20 teams, with the USA even hosting its inaugural ICC event. The matches were played on drop-in pitches, a unique twist, and bowlers reigned supreme, a surprising turn of events for a format typically favoring batsmen.
But the records didn't stop there. This World Cup also saw a wave of legendary retirements from T20I cricket. Notably, following the thrilling final, a trio of Indian legends announced their farewell to the T20 international stage.
India's jubilant celebration of their 2024 T20 World Cup win was tinged with bittersweetness as legendary batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals.
After a stellar 125-match career, Kohli opted to hang up his boots for the format, leaving the stage at the peak of his powers.
He cements his place in history as the T20I format's second-leading run scorer with a remarkable tally of 4,188 runs.
Also Read: 3 players who can replace Virat Kohli in India's T20I team
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, finally achieved his dream by lifting the T20 World Cup trophy after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in Barbados. However, the post-match press conference saw a bittersweet twist.
While celebrating the win, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20I cricket, joining teammate Virat Kohli in stepping away from the format.
Rohit Sharma's career spanned an impressive 159 matches, where he amassed a record-breaking 4231 runs - the most by any player in T20I history. His journey began at the young age of 20 during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England, though he didn't get a chance to bat on that occasion.
He made a remarkable comeback in his second match against South Africa, grabbing the "Man of the Match" award for a blazing-fast 50 runs off just 40 balls.
Also Read: 3 players who will become the captain of the team in T20I after Rohit Sharma
Completing India's wave of T20I retirements after their World Cup triumph was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Joining veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Jadeja announced his own farewell from the format.
Since his debut in February 2009, Jadeja carved out a remarkable career in 74 T20I matches. He not only displayed his batting prowess with 515 runs but also showcased his exceptional left-arm spin bowling, claiming 54 wickets. This impressive performance cements his place as one of India's greatest T20I all-rounders.
Australian opener David Warner, who had pre-announced his retirement from international cricket at the beginning of 2024, aimed to conclude his T20I career at the 2024 World Cup.
After achieving a fairytale ending with an ODI World Cup win in 2023 and a Test series victory over Pakistan in January 2024, Warner's T20I swansong wasn't meant to be.
Australia's disappointing Super Eights stage exit, including losses to Afghanistan and India, meant Warner couldn't cap his T20I career on a high note.
New Zealand's star left-arm pacer, Trent Boult, bowed out of T20I cricket after their Super 8s clash against PNG in the 2024 World Cup. Boult capped off his impressive T20I career with 83 wickets in 61 matches.
Notably, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for his team during the 2024 World Cup, claiming a commendable nine wickets in just four matches.
Namibia's star all-rounder, David Wiese, concluded his international cricket career after their final group stage match against England in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Interestingly, Wiese's T20I journey began in August 2013, representing South Africa against Sri Lanka.
He later switched allegiances and made a significant impact for Namibia, debuting in the first round of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Also Read: 5 Indian players who have won all three ICC trophies
Refrences for this article:
Give Your Feedback