Virender Sehwag calls Virat Kohli 'best-ever T20 WC batsman,' says this about Rohit Sharma as he pays touching tribute to batters

Legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag has paid rich tribute to the two modern-era legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after they announced their retirement from T20I cricket following Team India’s historic ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados.

Sehwag shared an emotional post for Kohli and Rohit on his social media handle to praise their achievements in T20I cricket. Taking to his microblogging X handle, the former Indian opener hailed Kohli as the epitome of T20 World Cup batting excellence.

Highlighting Kohli's key role in past tournaments, Sehwag hailed the dashing right-hander as the best T20 World Cup batter ever while recalling his match-winning performances in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the mega event.

Virender Sehwag hails Virat Kohli's legacy in T20 World Cups after T20I retirement

Notably, Kohli finished his T20I career with 4188 runs from 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. Well, Sehwag also lauded Kohli’s unbeaten knock of 85 runs off 52 balls against Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

The former Indian skipper displayed his class yet again in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where he played a match-defining knock of 76 runs to help India beat South Africa by seven runs in Barbados on June 29.

Beyond Kohli's runs, Sehwag admired his approach, emphasizing Kohli's humility and attributing his success to something greater than himself. Reflecting on Kohli's T20 career, Sehwag expressed hopes for him to maintain high standards in the other two formats—ODI and Test cricket—with a heartfelt wish for him.

Sharing the emotional picture of Virat and Rohit on X, Virender Sehwag wrote in his long post: “What to say about Virat the T20 World Cup batsman. By far the best T20 World Cup batsman ever, carried the team in 2014 and 2016 single-handedly winning games from difficult situations, in 2022 Melbourne will be in folklore of our T20 history and yesterday in the finals showing his class again.

More than the runs, what has been most impressive has been his approach which is reflected in what he says, attributing so much to something larger than himself, which I believe is the grace of a Guru. His T20 career comes to a stellar end and I pray that May the Grace be upon him and he continue to set high standards in the other two formats.”

Virender Sehwag salutes Rohit Sharma's T20 evolution and leadership

Meanwhile, Virender Sehwag lauded Rohit Sharma for his remarkable consistency and leadership in T20 World Cups. Highlighting Rohit's unique achievement of participating in all nine editions of the T20 World Cup, the former Indian opener hailed his transformation into a more aggressive player over the past year.

He believes that this transformation has not only rejuvenated Rohit's game but also created a supportive team environment, which contributed significantly to India’s success. Furthermore, Sehwag expressed pride in Rohit's ability to lead by example, praising his demeanor on and off the field.

The cricket pundit also extended his best wishes to Rohit for the future. Notably, Rohit ended his T20I career with 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of over 140 in 151 matches. He scored five centuries and 32 fifties in his T20I career, with the best score of 121*.

Sehwag posted on X: “Rohit, the only player who has played all 9 T20 World Cups, have been extremely impressed by the way he had transformed his game into a more attacking one in the last year or so and created a caring atmosphere within the team. It has been much needed and has also bought about results. Very proud of how you have held yourself and wish you the best in the times ahead.”

Here's Virender Sehwag's tribute post for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma:

What to say about Virat the T20 World Cup batsman. By far the best T20 World Cup batsman ever, carried the team in 2014 and 2016 single-handedly winning games from difficult situations, in 2022 Melbourne will be in folklore of our T20 history and yesterday in the finals showing… pic.twitter.com/z4ieFsNWzF

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 30, 2024