Close X
Sunday, October 6, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Virat Kohli ends T20 career on a high as India wins World Cup

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jul, 2024 02:18 PM
  • Virat Kohli ends T20 career on a high as India wins World Cup

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Right up to the Twenty20 World Cup final, there were question marks about whether India should persist with playing Virat Kohli.

One of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced just wasn't scoring.

He'd tallied 75 runs in seven games, including two ducks. India won every game but Kohli was reduced to a concerning afterthought, saved by the middle order and bowlers.

The humbling scores followed a spectacular Indian Premier League for Kohli, who set or extended tournament records in scoring 741 runs at an average of nearly 62.

Captain and fellow opener Rohit Sharma, despite their low-scoring partnerships at the World Cup, insisted throughout that he and Kohli were the first names on the team list.

His faith was repaid in the final against South Africa on Saturday, when Kohli led India's batting with 76 from 59 balls in a competitive total of 176-7. The bowlers brilliantly defended the total to win a thriller by seven runs and make India a world champion for the first time in 13 years.

“None of us doubted him,” Sharma said of Kohli, shortly before the skipper announced his own retirement from T20 internationals later Saturday.

“We know his quality. He has been at the top of his game for 15 years now. Big players will step up in big occasions and he played a crucial knock today. It was a team effort to get to that total but we knew we needed someone to bat time and he did that perfectly, using all his experience.”

After being named man of the match, Kohli said it was his last T20 international.

“One day you feel like you can't get a run, but one day things just click,” he said.

“I am so proud to get the runs for the team on the day it mattered most. The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time. The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.”

Class prevails when it comes to Kohli. He's produced so often when it's mattered.

In the 2014 final in Dhaka, he led all scorers with 77 off 58, though India lost to Sri Lanka.

In the 2016 semifinal in Mumbai, he hit an unbeaten 89 off 47 in the loss to West Indies.

He finished as the T20 captain at the 2021 World Cup, and hit 50 off 40 in the 2022 semifinal loss to England in Adelaide.

After six T20 World Cups, he's the highest scorer in tournament history, just ahead of Sharma, but he's decided to finish his 14-year T20 career on a high than stay to the next World Cup in 2026 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He'd be 37 by then.

“It is time for the new generation to come through for India,” Kohli said. "We have some amazing players coming through and they have to take this team forwards now.

“I wasn't feeling myself before today. I wasn't confident. So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions. It hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. It's an amazing day, I am so thankful.”

MORE Sports ARTICLES

Kim Ng makes MLB history as the first female General Manager of the Miami Marlins

Kim Ng makes MLB history as the first female General Manager of the Miami Marlins
She is the first female and a female of Asian descent General Manager in North American men's professional sports.

Kim Ng makes MLB history as the first female General Manager of the Miami Marlins

Junior hockey employment class action on thin ice

Junior hockey employment class action on thin ice
As a result of the objection, the courts learned of other actions against the Canadian Hockey League, including one filed in British Columbia over player concussions.

Junior hockey employment class action on thin ice

Youth soccer club in B.C. hires security for games

Youth soccer club in B.C. hires security for games
In a letter posted on the Chilliwack FC website Tuesday, chair Andrea Laycock says some parents have made "poor decisions" about how they respond to contact tracers working with the team.

Youth soccer club in B.C. hires security for games

Minor hockey associations adapt to COVID-19

Minor hockey associations adapt to COVID-19
All three are needed as minor hockey associations across Canada try to get kids on the ice while keeping the players, coaches, and volunteers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minor hockey associations adapt to COVID-19

Surrey RCMP share message via Twitter with Canucks fans before celebrating at Scott Rd tonight

Surrey RCMP share message via Twitter with Canucks fans before celebrating at Scott Rd tonight
Once again prior to Friday night's Game 7 the first for the team in 9 years the Surrey RCMP have taken to Twitter with a message for the public if the Canucks walk away with a win to rethink celebrating at the crowded intersection of Scott Rd-instead celebrate by staying home. 

Surrey RCMP share message via Twitter with Canucks fans before celebrating at Scott Rd tonight

NHL hockey is back as August heat shimmers

NHL hockey is back as August heat shimmers
As the summer heat shimmers off the pavement and stationary cars double as sweltering four-door Dutch ovens, Canada's favourite winter pastime is officially back.

NHL hockey is back as August heat shimmers