“Have Had My Time” – Rohit Sharma Reveals Reason For Decision To Retire From T20Is

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khelja|29-09-2024

Rohit Sharma has revealed the reason for his decision to retire from T20 Internationals following the T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year, saying it was the right time to call it quits in T20Is, having played in the format for 17 years.
  India under the captaincy of Rohit ended a 11-year drought for an ICC trophy and a 13-year wait for a World Cup trophy by winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title in June. India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final to become the T20 world champions for the second time. Right after the victory in Barbados, both Rohit and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is. Many had mixed opinions on their decision to retire from the format as both the star players still remain extremely fit and continue to be part of the ODI and Test teams. The duo will also be playing in the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). In a recent podcast, Rohit, who has played in the shortest format for nearly two decades, explained the reasons behind his decision to call it quits in the format and why he felt it was time for him to bid aideu to T20Is. 'The only reason I retired from T20Is is because I have had my time, I enjoyed playing the format, I played for 17 years, I did well and all of that," Rohit said on a podcast with Jitendra Chouksey. "Then, you won the (2024) World Cup. This was the best time for me to decide that 'okay, this is now time for me to move on and look after the other things'. There are a lot of good players who can do well for India."
  Rohit further stressed that he could have easily continued playing in all three formats, but felt the time was right, before talking about the importance of fitness of the mind. "It (decision to quit T20Is) was not because I felt anything. I just felt this was the right time. I could still play all three formats easily. That's why I say fitness is in your mind, how you train your mind," Rohit added. "I believe everything is in the mind. I am a person who has got a lot of self-belief because I know that I can control my mind when I have to. Sometimes it's not easy. I know most of the time I can do that. If you tell your body that you are young, you can do this, you can do that, (then) of course you can." Rohit finished with 4231 runs in 159 T20Is at an average of 31.34 and strike rate of 140.89, including 5 hundreds and 32 fifties. While he has retired from T20Is, he will still very much be part of the T20 format in IPL. All eyes will be on the retention of Mumbai Indians now as reports suggest Rohit may be entering the auction for the first time. And if he does get released, Rohit will be on the wishlist of several teams at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
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