Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has praised Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their illustrious careers after they announced their retirement from T20I cricket. Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, following Team India’s victory in the final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma led India to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29. The Men in Blue secured their second T20 World Cup after a gap of 17 years. Rohit described this T20 World Cup victory as the “best” moment of his career so far.
Victory is the perfect culmination of his career Steller – Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to claim that he has witnessed Rohit Sharma’s growth from a promising youngster to a World Cup-winning captain. Tendulkar praised Rohit’s dedication and talent and claimed that leading India to a T20 World Cup victory is a fitting end to his outstanding career.
“@ImRo45, I have witnessed your evolution from a promising youngster to becoming a World Cup-winning captain. Your unwavering commitment and exceptional talent have brought immense pride to the nation. Leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup is the perfect culmination of your stellar career. Well done, Rohit,” Sachin wrote.
@ImRo45I have witnessed your evolution from a promising youngster to becoming a World Cup-winning captain up close. Your unwavering commitment and exceptional talent have brought immense pride to the nation. Leading 🇮🇳 to a T20 World Cup victory 🏆… image.twitter.com/QSEui6Bq2K
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 30, 2024
Rohit Sharma was also part of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup. He is the top scorer in T20Is with 4,231 runs in 159 matches at an average of 31.34 and a strike rate of 140.89. He smashed five centuries (the most of any batsman in T20I cricket) and 32 half-centuries in his illustrious career.
Hope to see you continue winning matches – Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar drew parallels between his own World Cup journey and that of Virat Kohli, pointing out that both won their first World Cup in their sixth attempt. Tendulkar described Kohli as a true champion of the sport and hoped that he would continue to win matches for India in longer formats.
“@imVkohli, you have been a true champion of the sport. You may have had a tough time early in the tournament, but last night you showed why you are truly one of the greats of the gentleman’s game. Competing in six World Cups and taking victory in the last one is an experience I know well. I look forward to seeing you continue to win matches for India in the longer formats of the game,” Sachin added.
Virat Kohli struggled to score runs early in the tournament. However, the 35-year-old batsman redeemed himself with a crucial 76 off 59 balls to help the team reach a competitive total of 176 runs in 20 overs. The right-handed batsman was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning half-century in the final.
The 35-year-old batsman concluded his T20I career as India’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 4,188 runs in 125 games at an average of 48.69. He featured in India’s T20 World Cup campaigns in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Kohli is the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, scoring 1,292 runs.
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