"On Sunday, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their successful conclusion to their T20I careers."
Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar celebrated the T20I retirement of star batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on Sunday, following their triumphant T20 World Cup title win against South Africa. Rohit's adept leadership and strategic bowling rotations, combined with Virat's resilience in overcoming challenges, contributed significantly to India ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought. Both players announced their retirement from T20Is after clinching the trophy.
Speaking on the occasion, Sachin praised Rohit, acknowledging his transformation from a promising youngster to a World Cup-winning captain. He described Rohit's unwavering dedication and exceptional talent as sources of immense pride for the nation, emphasizing that leading India to a T20 World Cup victory marks a fitting conclusion to his stellar T20I career.
Regarding Virat, Sachin hailed him as a true champion of cricket, highlighting his ability to bounce back from a lean patch during the tournament, where he scored just 75 runs in seven innings. Sachin noted that Virat's resilience and achievements, including competing in six World Cups and clinching victory in the last one, underscore why he is regarded as one of the sport's greats. Sachin expressed hopes of seeing Virat continue to excel in longer formats of the game and continue to win matches for India.

After scoring just 75 runs in his first seven innings of the tournament, Virat Kohli delivered a crucial performance when it counted most, hitting 76 runs off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes. He maintained a strike rate of 128.81.
Virat concluded the tournament with a total of 151 runs in eight innings, averaging 18.87 with a strike rate of 112.68, achieving one fifty.
In his T20 World Cup career spanning 35 matches, Virat amassed 1,292 runs at an outstanding average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His highest score was an unbeaten 89*. He remains the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament.
Across 125 T20 Internationals, Virat accumulated 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a striking rate of 137.04. He recorded one century and 38 fifties, achieving a best score of 122*. He concludes his T20I career as the second-highest run-getter of all time.
Rohit Sharma also concluded the tournament with a career-best performance, scoring 257 runs in eight games at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 156. His highest score was 92, and he hit three half-centuries during the competition, securing the second-highest run tally.
Rohit retires as a two-time T20 World Cup champion, having won the title previously in 2007 as a promising young talent. In his 151 T20I appearances, Rohit amassed 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05 with a strike rate exceeding 140. He recorded five centuries and 32 fifties, with a best score of 121*. Rohit stands as the leading run-scorer in the format.