Virat Kohli hugged it out with Indian captain Rohit Sharma after India’s remarkable triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on Saturday (June 29). After Hardik Pandya defended 16 in the final over of the thrilling contest, versus South Africa, India ended their 11-year-long ICC title drought to win their second T20 WC. Post the narrow win, Kohli — who also announced his retirement from T20Is — was very emotional while entering the dressing room and hugged it out with Hitman.
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Emotions were running high for Team India, who were on the back foot at one stage with SA needing just 26 off the last four overs in chase of 177. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s masterclass led India’s revival before Arshdeep Singh and Hardik kept their nerves to bail India out and take them to an epic win. After the contest, an emotional Kohli hugged Rohit as the video broke the internet.
Talking about the contest, India won the toss and opted to bat first. At 34-3, they were struggling before out-of-form opener Kohli turned it around along with Axar Patel’s crucial 47. Kohli held one end firmly and returned with an impressive 59-ball 76 to take India to 176-7.
In reply, Aiden Markram-led Proteas were on their way to a memorable win, courtesy of Heinrich Klaasen’s 52, before Bumrah (2 for 20) conceded only 6 runs in his last two overs to bring Rohit-led India back into the contest. Arshdeep and Hardik did their job as well as Proteas were restricted for 169 for 8 to lose by 7 runs.
After the final, Kohli was awarded the Player-of-the-Match and made a big announcement. He told at the post-match presentation, “This was my last T20 game playing for India. We wanted to lift that cup. [if he is confirming if this was his last T20I] Yes I have, this was an open secret. Wasn’t something that I was not going to announce even if we had lost. Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward and do wonders as we have seen them do in the IPL. I have no doubts that they will keep the flag waving high and take this team further from here now.”
Thus, Kohli has now won both the World Cups and Champions Trophy in his glorious international career.
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