In the wake of India’s exhilarating seven-run victory over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has made a significant appeal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Raina has requested the BCCI to retire the jersey numbers of Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, honoring their immense contributions to the sport.
India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup, their third title in the format, saw them join the ranks of West Indies and England as the only teams to have achieved this feat. The dramatic final against South Africa has been hailed as one of the most thrilling matches in the tournament’s history.
Speaking to JioCinema, Raina emphasized the importance of recognizing the legendary status of both players by retiring their jersey numbers. “I request the BCCI to retire jerseys No.18 and No.45. These numbers should be prominently displayed in the BCCI office. Just as No.7 was retired for MS Dhoni and No.10 for Sachin Tendulkar, 18 and 45 deserve the same honor,” Raina said.
He elaborated on the inspirational legacy that Sharma and Kohli have left behind. “Every person who sees these numbers should feel motivated. The numbers 18 and 45 have brought India victories from numerous challenging situations. Future players should draw inspiration from the legacy these numbers represent,” Raina added.
The T20 World Cup final also marked a poignant moment for Indian cricket, as Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals during the post-match ceremony. Kohli, who played a crucial role in India’s success, stated that it was time for the younger generation to take the mantle. Rohit Sharma, in his post-match press conference, confirmed his decision to retire from the shorter format as well.
Kohli’s illustrious T20I career concluded with him being India’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, amassing 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04 over 125 matches. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, exited as the highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, with 4,231 runs in 159 matches, including a record five centuries. Sharma’s career also includes the distinction of winning two T20 World Cup titles: the inaugural 2007 edition as a player and the 2024 edition as captain.
The retirement of both stalwarts marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, and Raina’s call to retire their jersey numbers underscores their monumental impact on the game. As Indian cricket looks to the future, the legacy of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
