Following India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja has announced his retirement from T20 internationals.
The announcement came a day after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in Bridgetown, marking a poignant end to a stellar T20I career for one of India's premier all-rounders.
"With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to T20 internationals," Jadeja expressed on his official Instagram page. "Like a steadfast horse galloping with pride, I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so in other formats. Winning the T20 World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 International career. Thank you for the memories, the cheers, and the unwavering support."
Jadeja’s departure follows closely on the heels of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom also announced their retirements from the format within the same 24-hour period. Kohli, who made his announcement during the post-match ceremony, stated, "It is time for the next generation to take over." Rohit confirmed his decision to step down during a post-match press conference, signaling a significant shift in the Indian T20I setup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) now faces the daunting task of finding replacements for these legends, who have collectively defined an era of Indian T20 cricket. All three players leave behind a rich legacy, with Kohli and Rohit regarded as two of the greatest batsmen in the format and Jadeja as one of its finest all-rounders.
In his T20I career, Jadeja played 74 matches, scoring 515 runs and taking 54 wickets, contributing significantly to India's successes. Kohli, who ended his 125-match T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer with 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, is celebrated for his consistency and match-winning abilities. Rohit, the highest run-scorer in T20I history with 4,231 runs in 159 matches, also holds the record for the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals and has been a part of two World Cup-winning squads.
Rohit and Kohli's retirements, though not entirely unexpected, came as they focused their energies on the 2024 T20 World Cup after a hiatus from the format following India's semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Their return earlier this year set the stage for one final hurrah, culminating in India’s victorious campaign.
