In a momentous announcement that has left cricket fans around the world in awe, Virat Kohli, the titan of T20 cricket, has decided to retire from T20 internationals (T20Is). Kohli made this dramatic announcement after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final, a high-stakes match between India and South Africa. Kohli’s departure from T20 cricket at such a pivotal moment underscores his immense influence on the game.
Virat Kohli ends a remarkable T20I career
Kohli’s career in T20 internationals is nothing short of legendary. Over 14 years, he scored 4188 runs in 125 matches, boasting an impressive average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He is the second-highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, only behind Rohit Sharma.
During the post-match presentation, where he was named the Player of the Match, Kohli stated, “This was my last T20 game playing for India. I would have announced it even if India had ended up second best in the final against South Africa.” He emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent, saying, “It’s time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward.”
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Players who can replace Virat Kohli in India’s T20 team
1. Shubhman Gill
Shubhman Gill has already made a significant mark in T20 internationals with his impressive record of 14 matches and a strike rate of 147.5. Hailed as the next big cricketer after Kohli, much like how Kohli was once seen as the successor to Sachin Tendulkar, Gill’s talent and potential are undeniable. In the IPL, Gill has scored over 3000 runs, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and dynamic batter.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, is another strong candidate to replace Kohli. Gaikwad has taken on the mantle of leadership from MS Dhoni, leading his team with distinction. In the IPL 2021, he won the Orange Cap as the top run-scorer, with 635 runs across 16 innings and a strike rate of 136.26, including four half-centuries and one century. Gaikwad has also made his mark in T20 internationals for India, scoring 500 runs in 19 matches with a strike rate of 140.1.
3. Rajat Patidar
Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajat Patidar has amassed over 799 runs in 27 IPL matches. On 25th May 2022, during the Eliminator match of the IPL 2022, Patidar played a decisive innings of 112* (54 balls) against Lucknow Super Giants. This achievement made him the first uncapped player to score a century in the IPL playoffs. Additionally, his century off 49 balls tied him with Wriddhiman Saha for the joint-fastest century in IPL playoff history.
