STILL TWO FORMATS LEFT FOR ROHIT SHARMA AND VIRAT KOHLI: SURYAKUMAR YADAV LAUDS STARS
India batter Suryakumar Yadav came out in full praise of captain Rohit Sharma and star-batter Virat Kohli, as the two legends of the game declared their retirement from the T20I format after clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 29. After an 11-year trophy drought, the dreams of Indian cricket fans were turned into reality as India bagged a thrilling victory over South Africa to bag their second T20 World Cup. The campaign had already been hailed by many former cricket greats and fans to be one of the last chances of glory for Rohit and Virat, which would see them mark a deserving end to their illustrious T20I careers.
While Rohit showcased some pivotal form with the bat when the tournament kicked into the Super 8 stage and then the semi-final, Kohli saved his best of form for the big final in Barbados on Saturday. On top of Kohli's 76 off 59 balls knock, India were able to pose a target of 177 against a pretty solid Aiden Markram-led Proteas. Defying all odds, India were ultimately sent through to the win due to some impressive death overs from Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya and even a brilliant catch from Suryakumar for the wicket of the dangerous David Miller. During the post-match presentation, an emotion-filled Kohli announced his retirement from the format, only for his long-time teammate Rohit to do the same in the post-match press conference.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Suryakumar Yadav shared his emotions that went around with Rohit and Kohli's retirement, while recalling some of the best qualities of the legendary duo.
" Before the tournament, I was getting that feeling that there is something around the corner which is not going to make everyone happy. But the way this tournament has ended on a high, for both of them, the way they have played this tournament. I am very happy for both of them. There are still two formats left, the way they have been playing a different brand of cricket right now. Hopefully they achieve even more than this T20 World Cup. Very happy with the way they carried themselves, they took care of everyone in the team," Suryaumar said.
Suryakumar, who has also shared the dressing room with Rohit in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with MI, revealed some of the qualities that he considers to be inspirational about the India skipper.
" It's very difficult to mention one quality, because I have played with him in franchise cricket and or India in bilateral series. I think the way he carries himself on the ground, off the field, taking care of each and every player when they are down, that is the best quality in him. It'll take hours and hours to describe him and Virat bhai, both of them. Rohit has been an elder brother to everyone and a great sportsman," Suryakumar added.
About Kohli, Surykumar could not shy off from ushering some big praise on the India star's passion and emotion for the game.
" My God! Unbelievable amount of energy, experience, everything comes under that. Irrespective of what has happened in the game. Before this game (the final) it wasn't going the way he wanted but his energy on the field when he was fielding, taking everyone together, going forward was something different. That is something we need to learn, and I wish him all the best for the other two formats," Surykumar added.
After missing out on the 2022 T20 World Cup, and then the disappointing end to their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, this win has certainly eased a lot of nerves of the Indian cricket fans. However, Indian cricket now walks into a new stage with the retirement of Rohit and Kohli from the shortest format of the game.
2024-06-30T08:18:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd