3 reasons why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20Is is the right decision
After India edged out South Africa by seven runs in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29, two of the team's most high-profile players announced their retirement from the T20I format. Captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli will no longer turn out in the shortest format for the Men in Blue.
Kohli is the highest run-scorer in T20Is for India and leaves behind a rich legacy. Rohit, meanwhile, featured in a whopping nine T20 World Cups for the side and had his crowning moment in the Windies as the title-winning skipper.
That said, though, it was arguably the right time for the duo to move on. Here are three reasons why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20Is is the right decision.
#3 There has been too much controversy surrounding their place in the side
Over the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, fans were terribly disappointed with the manner in which the top order performed. While Kohli had his moments, his approach sometimes came under criticism. Rohit, on the other hand, couldn't buy a run.
Even ahead of this year's T20 World Cup, it was arguable that Rohit, who ended up having a great campaign, didn't merit his place in the side following a sustained period of poor T20 performances. Kohli, meanwhile, had questions asked of his strike rate and game against spin despite his prolific Indian Premier League campaign.
The game is evolving, and India need to evolve with it. Having two players whose batting has caused widespread debate, and a great deal of discontent among fans with it, isn't the best idea. Rohit and Kohli are world-class batters, but their T20 performances haven't been beyond question over the last few years.
#2 Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can now sign off on a high
As mentioned earlier, Rohit has played in each one of India's T20 World Cup campaigns. Kohli has been present for six of them and has bossed the tournament like no other batter.
As their careers wind down, the duo had the perfect opportunity to sign off on a high and be remembered as batters who played key roles in breaking India's trophy drought. They can't ask for any better storyline to sign off on, with Kohli adding another elusive trophy to his resume and Rohit finally winning a title as captain after a few missed opportunities.
Had they continued, this kind of fairytale script might not have been on the cards. Now, however, there's a sweet taste to the manner in which they're departing the T20I format.
#1 The young generation is ready to take over
Kohli is 35 years old, despite his unmatched fitness levels. Rohit is 37 and is clearly in the last stage of his international career. It's time for India to look at younger players who can take over during the next two-year cycle.
The Men in Blue aren't short of options. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill seem to be the two young batters with the highest upside, while Ruturaj Gaikwad is also in the mix. Abhishek Sharma is a breath of fresh air with his high-intent approach and ability to bowl spin.
All these players are proven at the IPL level and are all set to take the step up to international cricket. They have been named in India's squad to tour Zimbabwe later this week and won't take long to get accustomed to the rigors of donning the blue jersey, given the talent they possess.