Watch- Shaheen Afridi's humbling tribute for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after T20 World Cup win
Published - 30 Jun 2024, 01:35 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:14 AM
Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi shared his thoughts on veteran Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20I cricket after the victory over South Africa. Shaheen Shah Afridi also praised the Men in Blue for their victory in the final match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been consistent performers in the Indian batting lineup across all formats of international cricket. The veteran Indian batters decided to bid adieu after the Indian team's seven-run victory in a nail-biting encounter at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
The Indian players got emotional after the Men in Blue ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought. India secured their second World Cup trophy, the first since the victory in the inaugural edition in 2007. Fans, former cricketers, and current players paid tribute to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on their T20 retirements.
Congratulations Both On Your Amazing T20I Career - Shaheen Afridi
Virat Kohli expressed satisfaction with winning the trophy in his final T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old confirmed that it was his last T20I match for India. Shaheen Afridi reacted to Kohli's retirement and congratulated India on their World Cup victory. Afridi stated that it was a memorable end to a remarkable T20I career.
"This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can't get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to lift the cup, wanted to respect the situation rather than force it. This was an open secret, it's time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high," Kohli said while accepting the Player of the Match award.
"Memorable end to a remarkable T20I career, Congratulations India on winning the T20 World Cup," Shaheen wrote on Instagram.
Virat was awarded "Player of the Match" for his match-winning half-century in the summit clash. The former Indian skipper scored 76 runs off 59 balls as the Men in Blue set a 177-run target for South Africa in the final. Rohit managed to score just nine runs off five deliveries before being dismissed by Keshav Maharaj.
Also read: Ahmed Shehzad pays a glorifying tribute to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their retirement