The day after India captain
Rohit Sharma
and
Virat Kohli
announced their retirement from T20Is, batting legend
Sachin Tendulkar
wrote a heartfelt social media post for the duo.
Rohit, who was also part of the Indian team that won the 2007
T20 World Cup
, led India in their thrilling seven-run win against South Africa in Barbados on Saturday to register their second triumph in the tournament after a gap of 17 years.
Like Tendulkar, Rohit also hails from Mumbai and the 2011 ODI World Cup winner has seen the current India captain evolve as a batsman from "close quarters".
"@ImRo45, I’ve witnessed your evolution from a promising youngster to a World Cup-winning captain from close quarters," wrote Sachin in his post on 'X' (formerly Twitter). "Your unwavering commitment & exceptional talent have brought immense pride to the nation. Leading India to a T20 World Cup victory is the perfect culmination of your stellar career. Well done, Rohit!"
Kohli saved his best for the final of the tournament. He top-scored in the match with his 59-ball 76, taking India to 176 for 7, after having failed to kick on in his previous innings in the tournament.
In his words for Kohli, Tendulkar mentioned about Kohli winning his first T20 World Cup in sixth appearance, similar to Tendulkar's own wait for a World Cup trophy, which he clinched in his sixth appearance in the ODI World Cups, in 2011.
"@imVkohli, you have been a true champion of this sport. You may have had a rough time earlier in the tournament, but last night you proved why you’re truly one of the greats of the gentleman's game. Competing in six World Cups and clinching victory in the last one is an experience I know well," Tedulkar added in the post.
He wished Kohli continued success in ODIs and Tests.
"I hope to see you continue winning matches for India in the longer formats of the game," wrote Tendulkar.
In India's defence of 176, Hardik Pandya spearheaded the bowling effort, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs. He received valuable support from Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, who both claimed two wickets each. Their combined efforts restricted South Africa to a total of 169 for 8 in a closely contested match.
A defining moment of the game was Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch at the boundary, which dismissed David Miller for 21 off 17 balls. Miller's wicket was crucial as he was South Africa's last hope after Heinrich Klassen's rapid 52 off 27 balls had given the Proteas a chance to chase down the target.
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