[Watch] 'Fans Are Disappointed,' Virat Kohli’s Childhood Coach On His Retirement After T20 WC Win

Virat Kohli with 2024 T20 World Cup trophy (X)

Team India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final to lift the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados on June 29. Senior batter Virat Kohli bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for punching out a match-defining 76-run knock from just 59 deliveries. 

After biding his time to reach a 48-ball 50*, the out-of-form opener bludgeoned 26 runs from the subsequent eight deliveries to fuel India’s grand total of 176-7 alongside Axar Patel and Shivam Dube.

As it turned out, Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is during India’s post-match celebration at the Kensington Oval.

Virat Kohli’s coach speaks on T20 WC win, retirement

A day after India lifted the 2024 World Cup and Kohli announced his T20I retirement, his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma expressed his first reaction while speaking with the IANS. 

Sharma signified the occasion of India’s win, and described what the trophy meant to Kohli especially during the twilight stage of his international career.

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He further claimed that while his apprentice retired on a significant occasion, his fans must be left disappointed by seeing their favourite cricketer bid adieu from the shortest format. 

The coach also added that he has been receiving many calls off late to explain why Kohli would announce his sudden retirement.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, will continue to play ODIs and Test matches for Team India going ahead. He is expected to make a return to the playing setup within the next few months.

Moreover, with the WTC on the line, Kohli will also be expected to turn up for India in their upcoming Test matches, including the all-important tour of Australia later this year.

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