"Virat Kohli shouldn't have.."- Shahid Afridi gives another mouthful to Indian legend

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi feels that Virat Kohli shouldn't have retired from the T20I format and the format looked beautiful because of him. Virat Kohli retired from the T20Is after India's title win in the T20 World Cup 2024.

A few moments after India's title win, Kohli announced to the host broadcaster that he won't be playing in T20I cricket anymore and the final with South Africa was his last T20I match. At first, it came as a shock but Kohli had already decided to retire from the format regardless of the result in the final.

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Virat Kohli shouldn't have retired from T20I cricket, feels Shahid Afridi

While speaking to News24 Sports, Shahid Afridi reckoned that Virat Kohli shouldn't have quit T20Is. He mentioned that Kohli made T20I cricket look beautiful.

"Virat (Kohli) has his class. He shouldn't have left T20 cricket. T20Is looked beautiful because of him," Afridi stated.

When asked about Kohli's retirement from T20Is, Afridi responded that Kohli is still fit enough to play the format. Besides his form, Kohli can also provide support to the youngsters who will come into the team.

"Why can't he play? He is in form, he is fit, and he trains daily. If he is playing, the new players will also get support because you can't bring all the youngsters at one time. You make a combination of seniors and juniors to form a team. These youngsters can learn so much from Virat (Kohli)," Afridi added.

Shahid Afridi said, "Virat has lots of fans in Pakistan, we're eager to see Virat play in Pakistan". pic.twitter.com/hWoDOSrMXr

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) July 11, 2024

Virat Kohli retires as the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is

Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket as the second-highest run-getter in the format with 4188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He struck 1 hundred and 38 fifties in his T20I career. Kohli is just behind Rohit Sharma on the list, who has scored 4231 runs in 159 T20Is.

Kohli had a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 where he scored 151 runs in 8 matches at an average of just 18.87. He tried to adopt an aggressive style of batting but struggled throughout the tournament but struggled to score runs.

But in the final against South Africa, the 35-year-old came to India's rescue when the Men in Blue were tottering at 34-3. Kohli stayed at one end and played the anchor's role to perfection.

He scored a valiant 76 off 59 balls, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes, and helped India post a competitive score of 176-7 in the final. In reply, South Africa were reduced to 169-8 in 20 overs. Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant innings under pressure.

Kohli's innings propelled India to their first ICC trophy win in 11 years. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja also announced their respective retirements after the T20 World Cup final.