India captain Rohit Sharma announced that he was retiring from T20 international cricket after winning the World Cup in Saturday's final against South Africa. Rohit said he would continue for India in the Test and ODI formats but was stepping back from the shortest format. Rohit's announcement came shortly after his teammate Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20 cricket for India.

"No better time to say goodbye," Rohit said during the post-match press conference as he celebrated India's historic second T20 World Cup title. The decision marks a fitting end to Rohit's T20I career, as he began it with a World Cup win and concluded it with another. Between those 17 years, Rohit rose to unprecedented heights as a batter, finishing as the India's highest run-scorer in T20Is with 4231 runs from 159 matches at an average of 32.05. His five centuries in the format is also the most by any Indian batter.

"This was my last game as well. I've enjoyed since the time I started playing this format. I've loved every moment of this. This is what I wanted - I wanted to win the cup," added Rohit, as he saluted the room, to applause from the media.

Having made his debut in the 2007 T20 World Cup against England – he did not get a chance to bat due to Yuvraj Singh's belligerent hitting – Rohit's first game for India in T20Is was against South Africa, where he marked his arrival, scoring a scintillating 50 not out and playing a useful hand in India's win. As it turns out, Rohit's last game happened to be against the same opponents as he rode into the sunset as India's highest scorer at the T20 World Cup with 257 runs at a strike-rate of 156.7 and three very crucial half-centuries – against Ireland, Australia and England.

More to follow…

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