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'Only Reason I Retired...,' Rohit Sharma Shares The Real Reason Of Retirement After The T20 World Cup Victory

Rohit Sharma after the historic T20 World Cup victory (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)Rohit Sharma after the historic T20 World Cup victory (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com)

Rohit Sharma has opened up about his decision to retire from T20 internationals shortly after the historic win in the T20 World Cup 2024. In a recent podcast, the 37-year-old revealed that his decision was not driven by any physical limitations but rather by a sense of timing and responsibility towards the future of Indian cricket.

India clinched their T20 World Cup title in June this year with a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final at Barbados. Soon after the triumph, Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirements from the shortest format of the game. 

Rohit Sharma Opens Up His Decision To Retire From T20Is

Reflecting on his decision, Rohit Sharma explained that he had achieved everything he had set out to do in the T20 format, making it the perfect time to step aside and allow younger talents to shine. 

 "No, No, I'm not thinking about retirement & only reason I retired from T20I is because I have had my time, I enjoyed playing the format, won 2024 T20 WC, This was the best time for me to move on from T20I as there are lots of very good players who can do well for India," Rohit Sharma said. 

His leadership in the 2024 World Cup was praised for its calmness and tactical brilliance, especially during high-pressure moments in the final.

While many fans and analysts felt that Rohit still had the fitness and form to continue playing in all three formats of the game, the cricketer emphasised that his decision was not a result of any decline in performance or motivation.

“It [the decision to quit T20Is] was not because I felt anything. I just felt this was the right time. I could still play all three formats easily. It’s in your mind, how you train your mind. I am a person who has got a lot of self-belief because I know that I can control my mind when I have to. Sometimes it's not easy, but I know most of the time I can do that.”

Rohit Sharma's Significant Contribution In T20Is

Rohit Sharma's career in T20I is nothing short of remarkable. The star opener has played 159 T20Is for India and made 4,231 runs at an impressive strike rate of 140.89, including five centuries and 32 half-centuries.

Shortly after Rohit’s retirement, the BCCI appointed Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20I captain. Suryakumar, who had been a crucial player for India over the past few years, especially in T20 cricket, was seen as the natural successor to Rohit in the format.