Virat Kohli: "I've Never Seen Rohit This Emotional"

After winning an ICC trophy for the first time in 13 years, the Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, was welcomed by an ecstatic crowd upon their return. The team celebrated their victory with an open-top bus parade through Marine Drive in Mumbai. Both Rohit and Kohli were visibly emotional, especially as this was their last T20 World Cup.

Reflecting on the final against South Africa, where India secured a 7-run victory, Kohli recalled the poignant moment they both shed tears on the field. Kohli shared, "In 15 years, this was the first time I saw Rohit so emotional. When we were walking off after the win, both of us were crying. That memory is very special to me."

Virat Kohli was not part of the squad for the 2007 T20 World Cup but played in the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team as a young 22-year-old. At that time, he struggled to relate to the emotions of the senior players, who were deeply moved by the victory. Kohli explained:

"When we won the 2011 World Cup, I couldn't fully relate to the emotions of the senior players. I didn't understand why they were crying. For me, winning the World Cup was the main thing back then. I was just 22 years old. But now, the feelings are different."

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have played together for many years. With this World Cup victory, both have bid farewell to the T20 format. According to Kohli, this World Cup held significant importance for both of them.

"Rohit and I have played cricket together for a long time. We've tried for years to win a World Cup. When I was the captain, Rohit was a senior player. Now, he is the captain, and I am a senior player. Our goal was simply to win a World Cup for India."

Both players’ dedication and their shared goal of winning a World Cup for India underscore their long-standing partnership and the emotional significance of this achievement.