Mumbai, May 2025 — Nearly a year after lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and bidding farewell to the shortest format of the game, Rohit Sharma has finally opened up about his decision to retire from T20 Internationals, offering fans a heartfelt insight into the emotions and thoughts behind his exit.

Rohit Sharma, the stalwart of Indian cricket and one of the most decorated white-ball batters in the history of the game, confirmed his retirement from T20Is moments after leading India to a thrilling 7-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29, 2024.

In a recent interview with journalist Vimal Kumar on YouTube, Rohit revealed that his decision to retire was pre-planned, regardless of whether India had won the tournament or not.

“When I announced my retirement from T20Is… agar hum nahi jeet-te, toh mai waise he announce kar deta kyuki bahut try kar liya ab. It’s not fair for me to continue; you have to give chances to the others,” Rohit explained candidly.

A Perfect Ending

Rohit Sharma’s retirement came at a high point — not only did he captain India to their first ICC title in over a decade, but he also finished the tournament as India’s highest run-scorer, showcasing his class and consistency throughout the campaign.

Despite being in red-hot form, Rohit stuck to his decision. Reflecting on his inner conflict, he said:

“After winning, you feel that you still have it in you; you are playing well, and you have given the result as well, so why not continue? But andar se ek feel aa jaata hai ki yaar abhi yaha par…”

These words revealed the bittersweet nature of his decision — the satisfaction of winning mixed with the maturity of knowing when to step aside.

Career Highlights in T20Is

Rohit Sharma leaves behind a legacy in T20 Internationals that is unlikely to be matched anytime soon:

• Matches Played: 159
• Runs Scored: 4,231 (Most by any Indian and among the highest globally)
• Centuries: 4 (joint-most in T20Is)
• Sixes: Most sixes in T20Is
• Captaincy Record: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Champion

Rohit is one of only three Indian captains to have lifted an ICC trophy, joining the elite club alongside MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev.

A Leader in Every Sense

Throughout the 2024 World Cup campaign, Rohit Sharma displayed masterful leadership. He was aggressive yet composed, tactical yet instinctive — and most importantly, he led from the front.

In the semi-final against England, Rohit’s 57 off 38 was crucial in setting up a winning total. In the final, he scored a gritty 49, laying the platform for India’s 176/7. His impact went beyond stats — he brought belief, unity, and an unshakable drive to end India’s ICC title drought.

Why He Stepped Away

In his interview, Rohit touched upon a key reason for stepping away — allowing space for the next generation.

“It’s not fair for me to continue. You have to give chances to the others.”

He admitted that had he not performed in the World Cup, his decision would have felt easier. But given his form, walking away was a conscious sacrifice.

“If you are not able to give results, not bat well, and something is going wrong, then it’s okay. Then in any way you have to tell yourself that ‘Mate, it’s over.’ But I batted well in the T20 World Cup; the result was also good – happy times. Then why?”

Still, he acknowledged that the “feeling from within” — that intangible moment of clarity — helped him let go.

Legacy and Impact

Rohit Sharma’s contribution to Indian T20I cricket is immense — not just in terms of numbers, but also in terms of impact. He helped transform India’s approach to T20 cricket, bringing aggression, innovation, and intent to the top order.

He mentored young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh, paving the way for a smooth transition in India’s top-order dynamics.

He was also instrumental in redefining India’s bowling strategy in T20s, encouraging attacking spin options and death-over specialists.

What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?

Though retired from T20Is, Rohit continues to play ODIs and Tests for India and remains captain in the longer formats as of 2025. He is also expected to lead Mumbai Indians in the IPL for at least one more season and is being considered for a mentorship or coach-like role once he retires from all formats.

There is growing speculation that Rohit could eventually join the Indian coaching setup, with several former cricketers suggesting he has the temperament and cricketing brain to guide the national team post-retirement.

Fan Reactions: A Mixture of Pride and Pain

Rohit’s retirement left millions of fans both emotional and grateful. Social media was flooded with tributes, montages, and thank-you messages after his announcement in June 2024.

Hashtags like #ThankYouRohit, #CaptainRo and #HitmanForever trended for days.

Now, as fans look back a year later, many appreciate the timing and grace with which Rohit bowed out, choosing the perfect moment to walk away — as a World Champion.

Final Word

Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from T20Is was not just the end of a chapter — it was the conclusion of a glorious era. With unmatched flair, quiet charisma, and remarkable consistency, he etched his name into cricketing folklore.

As he rightly said:

“You work so hard for a place, it doesn’t come easy. But at the same time, you should know when it’s time to move on.”

And with that, Rohit Sharma gave the cricketing world something rare — a perfect farewell.