Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's T20I Retirement Shocks Mohammed Shami

After India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup, the retirement announcements from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami expressed his surprise and acknowledged the immense challenge of replacing these legendary players.

Kohli, who was named Player-of-the-Match for his match-winning 76 in the final, announced his retirement from T20Is after the game. He ended his T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer with 4188 runs in 125 matches.

Shortly after, Rohit, in the post-match press conference, revealed his decision to join Kohli in retiring from T20Is. He finished his T20I career as the highest scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches, holding the record for the most centuries in men's T20Is.

Shami expressed his shock at the retirements, saying, "It's a shock. They have been stalwarts for India, delivering outstanding performances for 15-16 years and earning their titles as kings of white-ball cricket. Both retiring simultaneously is shocking, but it's part of the natural cycle."

He added, "Replacing such stars in the team will be a significant challenge. However, I would like to thank both Rohit and Virat for winning matches for the team, playing amazing innings for India, and breaking records along the way."

Reflecting on India's title win, Shami congratulated the team and support staff for their hard work and dedication. He also thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the campaign.

"It's a huge achievement. Credit goes to the entire Indian team, the support staff, and the fans who boost our confidence. I would like to congratulate all the players who worked hard to remain unbeaten in the tournament," said Shami.

He concluded by acknowledging the significance of being part of a World Cup-winning team, saying, "Players who become a part of the World Cup are fortunate to have that opportunity, as only around 10 percent of players get a chance in their lifetime to be part of a World Cup-winning team."

Shami also expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal congratulations to the team after their triumph. "I truly appreciate that our Prime Minister has a passion for the sport and personally congratulates our champions after their victories. It really boosts the team's confidence," he said.

Tags: #RohitSharma, #ViratKohli, #T20IRetirement, #MohammedShami, #India