Virat Kohli Bids Adieu To T20Is With Match-Winning Knock In World Cup Final

Virat Kohli delivered a stellar performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, earning him the Man of the Match award. Following this, he announced his retirement from T20I cricket during the presentation ceremony.

• 77 (58) vs SL, Mirpur, 2014
• 76 (59) vs SA, Bridgetown, 2024

Kohli's innings of 76 runs off 59 balls was crucial in setting up India's total of 176/7. South Africa fought hard but fell short by 7 runs, ending at 169/8. Kohli's strategic approach and pacing were exemplary throughout his innings.

• 85 - Kane Williamson vs AUS, 2021
• 85 - Marlon Samuels vs ENG, 2016
• 78 - Marlon Samuels vs SL, 2012
• 77 - Mitchell Marsh vs NZ, 2021
• 77 - Virat Kohli vs SL, 2014
• 76 - Virat Kohli vs SA, 2024*
• 75 - Gautam Gambhir vs PAK, 2007

Kohli's progression during his innings was notable: he scored 21 runs off his first 15 balls (strike rate: 140.0), followed by 16 runs off the next 15 balls (strike rate: 106.7). He then added another 11 runs off the subsequent 15 balls (strike rate: 73.3), finishing with a strong burst of 28 runs off his last 14 balls (strike rate: 200.0). His fifty came off 48 balls, making it the second slowest fifty for India in T20 World Cup history.

Kohli's Performance in This Tournament:

Before today: 75 runs (7 innings)

Today: 76 runs off 59 balls

Kohli's consistency in T20 World Cup finals is remarkable. His latest innings included hitting four sixes, tying him for the most sixes hit by an Indian in a T20 World Cup final. This matches his own record set against Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament held in Mirpur in 2014.

Slowest Fifties for India in T20 World Cups (balls):

• 49 - Suryakumar Yadav vs USA, New York, 2024
• 48 - Virat Kohli vs SA, Bridgetown, 2024 Final*
• 45 - Virat Kohli vs PAK, Dubai, 2021
• 44 - Gautam Gambhir vs BAN, Nottingham, 2009
• 44 - Rohit Sharma vs WI, Mirpur, 2014

Kohli has consistently performed well against South Africa in T20 World Cup knockout matches. In the semi-final of the tournament held in Mirpur in 2014, he scored an unbeaten knock of 72 off just 44 balls. In this year's final against South Africa at Bridgetown, he remained not out with a score of fifty from forty-eight deliveries.

Kohli vs South Africa in T20 World Cup Knockouts:

• 72* (44), SF Mirpur,2014
• 50* (48), Final Bridgetown2024

The list of players who have hit the most sixes in a T20 World Cup final includes some notable names. Marlon Samuels leads with six sixes against Sri Lanka at Colombo in2012. Others include Misbah-ul-Haq with four sixes against India at Jo'burgin2007 and Carlos Brathwaite with four sixes against England at Kolkatain2016.

Most Sixes Hit in a T20 World Cup Final:

• Marlon Samuels –6 – SL Colombo2012