The culmination of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final sees Team India gearing up to take on South Africa in a highly anticipated final at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval. For Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and his team, this marks their third ICC final in the past year, having faced setbacks against Australia in the previous two encounters.
Adding to the stakes is the farewell factor for head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure concludes after this final. The team aims to bid farewell to Dravid with a championship win, further fueling their motivation for victory.
However, amidst the excitement of the final, speculation looms over potential retirements of key Indian players post-tournament. Three prominent names in consideration include Ravindra Jadeja, who has been a stalwart in T20Is since 2009, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. With emerging talents like Axar Patel making an impact, Jadeja might contemplate retiring from T20Is after this World Cup.
Another looming retirement could be that of Rohit Sharma himself, at 37 years old and with upcoming major tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy and World Test Championship. Despite his prowess and commitment, Rohit’s fitness and future considerations may lead him to announce his retirement from T20Is post-final.
Similarly, Virat Kohli, known for his fitness and stellar performances across formats, might also consider stepping away from T20Is to focus on ODIs and Tests. With promising young players rising through the ranks, Kohli could opt to pave the way for the next generation in the shortest format.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final, these potential farewells add a poignant narrative to India’s quest for glory against South Africa.