Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Bid Farewell with T20 World Cup Victory

In a historic farewell, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking the end of their T20 careers. Kohli's retirement announcement followed the thrilling final against South Africa, where India secured a narrow win. Rohit, a key player throughout the tournament, also announced his retirement, capping off an illustrious journey in T20 cricket. This victory not only ended an 11-year ICC title drought for India but also set the stage for their future in One Day Internationals. Discover how India clinched the title and the strategies that led to their success.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 12:54 IST

A Memorable Farewell in Barbados

On this date in 2024, cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma celebrated a remarkable farewell in T20 International cricket in Barbados. The duo led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking a triumphant end to their careers in the shortest format. Kohli announced his retirement shortly after India's victory over South Africa in the final match. Rohit, who lifted the trophy, shared the joy with his teammates before revealing his retirement during the post-match press conference. This victory was particularly significant as it ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title for India.

Rohit was a standout performer throughout the tournament, amassing 257 runs across 8 innings with an impressive strike rate of 156.70, including three half-centuries. His revamped strategy, following India's disappointing 2022 T20 World Cup performance, proved effective in both the 2024 and upcoming 2026 T20 World Cups. Kohli, returning to the opener position, delivered a stellar performance in his final match, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, helping India set a challenging target of 176/7. South Africa fell short by seven runs, suffering another defeat in a crucial ICC match.

As they exited the T20 format, Kohli and Rohit posed together with the trophy. Both players had previously retired from Test cricket in May 2025, and they are currently focusing on One Day Internationals. Their future in ODI cricket will likely be decided after the 2027 ODI World Cup.

India's Strategy Against South Africa

At one point, South Africa seemed on track for victory, needing just 26 runs from 24 balls with six wickets remaining. However, Rishabh Pant disrupted their rhythm by feigning an injury, which allowed India to regroup. Consequently, South Africa could only manage 18 runs in the final four overs. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his performance, while Jasprit Bumrah, with 15 wickets in the tournament, earned the title of Player of the Tournament.