'First time in 15 years...': Virat Kohli recalls emotional moment with Rohit Sharma after T20 World Cup final win

India secured an ICC trophy for the first time in 11 years in Barbados last Saturday, emerging victorious over South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 by a margin of seven runs. Following the Victory Parade on Thursday, Virat Kohli expressed his admiration for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, noting that he had never witnessed Sharma display such raw emotion after clinching the coveted trophy.

“Rohit and I, we’ve been trying this for so long. We always wanted to win a World Cup. Bringing the trophy back to Wankhede is a very special feeling. We have been playing for the last 15 years and this is the first time, I’ve seen Rohit so emotional – he was crying, I was crying, a hug between both of us – I will never forget that day,” Kohli said.

Following their victory, both senior statesmen have announced their retirement from the shorter format of the game.

“I couldn’t connect with the emotions of the seniors, who cried that night (after the 2011 World Cup triumph) but now I do,” Kohli said.

Jasprit Bumrah delivered an outstanding performance in the World Cup, claiming an impressive 15 wickets with an economy rate of just 4.17. His exceptional skills on the field earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. In recognition of his remarkable talent, Kohli himself declared Bumrah as a true marvel of the cricketing world, deserving to be hailed as the eighth wonder of the world.

“I’ll sign the petition for Jasprit Bumrah to be the eighth wonder of the world right now. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler,” Kohli said.

Earlier in the day before the Victory Parade, the Indian team had the honor of meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. During their meeting, Modi inquired about Virat Kohli's mindset leading up to the big game. Despite a lackluster performance leading up to the final, Kohli's impressive 76-run match-winning innings proved to be pivotal in India's triumph.

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