South Africa was the Last Opponent for these Legendary Indian Cricketers in T20I

This article will discuss South Africa as the Last Opponent for these Legendary Indian Cricketers in T20I. The T20 World Cup 2024 marked a significant chapter in Indian cricket, not only because of India’s triumphant victory but also due to the retirement of some of the most legendary cricketers in Indian cricket history. This tournament witnessed the final T20I appearances of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. Let’s delve into the illustrious careers of these legends and their impact on Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, another giant of Indian cricket, also retired from T20Is following the 2024 T20 World Cup final. During the 2007 T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma debuted in T20Is and was vital to India’s victory. Seventeen years later, he captained India to another T20 World Cup triumph, bookending his illustrious T20I career with remarkable achievements.

In the final against South Africa, Rohit scored nine runs and led his team with exemplary leadership. His tenure as captain saw numerous highs, including winning his first ICC trophy as skipper. At the press conference after the final, Rohit announced his retirement, leaving behind a legacy of prolific batting and inspiring captaincy.

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Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, one of cricket’s modern greats, concluded his T20I career with a storybook ending in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. On June 29, against South Africa at Kensington Oval, Kohli scored a decisive 76 runs, leading India to their second T20 World Cup triumph. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award, cementing his legacy in the format.

In his post-match interview, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is, capping off an illustrious career in the shortest format. Known for his calculated batting style, Kohli amassed numerous records and accolades throughout his T20I career. 

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, India’s primary all-rounder for many years, also announced his retirement from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Jadeja played a vital role in India’s journey to the final, contributing with both bat and ball. In the final, he scored two runs and bowled economically, conceding just 12 runs in his spell.

Jadeja’s T20I career was distinguished by his outstanding fielding, reliable lower-order batting, and ability to take crucial wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar often hailed as the “God of Cricket,” had a surprisingly brief T20 international career, playing only one match. This sole appearance was on December 1, 2006, against South Africa in Johannesburg. In the game, Tendulkar bowled 2.3 overs, taking one wicket for 12 runs by dismissing Justin Kemp, and scored 10 runs off 12 balls before being bowled out by Charl Langeveldt.

While Tendulkar’s T20I career was brief, his presence in that inaugural match set the stage for India’s journey in T20 cricket. His transition from the one-day format to this shorter version was seamless, showcasing his versatility and immense cricketing acumen.

Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan, though not a part of the 2024 squad, deserves mention for his impact on Indian T20 cricket. His last T20I appearance came during the 2012 T20 World Cup against South Africa, where he delivered a match-winning spell of 3/22. Despite this performance, Zaheer was surprisingly dropped from the squad and never played another T20I for India.

Zaheer’s career in T20Is might have been cut short, but his contributions to Indian cricket, especially in the fast-bowling department, were significant.