On June 29, 2024, at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Virat Kohli scripted a fairy-tale ending to his T20I career. With India clinching the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Kohli not only added another title to his glittering career but also walked off as the Player of the Match in the final — a perfect send-off for one of cricket’s greatest modern-day batters.
Let’s revisit the remarkable T20I journey of Virat Kohli, spanning over 16 years — from his early days in 2010 to his last dance on the world stage in 2024.
🌟 The Debut – June 12, 2010
Kohli made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe on June 12, 2010 in Harare. Though his first few outings in the shortest format were relatively modest, his calm demeanor and clean technique gave glimpses of the superstar he was destined to become.
By the end of 2012, Kohli had started to cement his place not only in India’s T20I setup but also as one of the most consistent batters across formats.
🔥 Rise to T20I Supremacy
From 2014 to 2019, Kohli dominated T20I cricket like few others ever have. Known for his exquisite timing, clinical chases, and match awareness, Kohli became India’s go-to man under pressure.
Some of his standout moments during this phase include:
- 82 vs Australia (Mohali, 2016 T20 WC)* – One of the finest T20I innings, leading India into the semi-finals.
- 94 vs West Indies (Hyderabad, 2019)* – Showcased his range, chasing 208 with effortless power hitting.
- Fastest to 3000 T20I runs – Achieved in just 81 innings.
His consistency in chases earned him the title of the “Chase Master,” and his T20I average regularly hovered around the high 40s — an outstanding figure in the format.
🧢 Leadership and Setbacks
Kohli also captained India in T20Is from 2017 to 2021, leading the team to several bilateral series wins. However, an ICC title eluded him during his captaincy.
He stepped down as India’s T20I captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup, following India’s disappointing group-stage exit.
Despite losing the captaincy, Kohli remained a vital part of the squad. Many questioned whether he would continue in T20Is, especially with the rise of younger stars like Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
🧘♂️ The Comeback and 2024 World Cup Selection
After a brief lean patch in 2022–2023, Kohli made a strong comeback in IPL 2024 with over 600 runs for RCB, reminding the world of his class. His inclusion in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, despite murmurs of age and form, proved to be a masterstroke.
🏆 June 29, 2024 – The Perfect Farewell
India met South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on June 29, 2024, in Barbados. After early wickets fell, Kohli held the innings together with a match-winning 76 off 59 balls, anchoring India to a defendable total of 176.
Under immense pressure, his innings was not flamboyant but full of composure, classical strokes, and strategic placement. His performance earned him the Player of the Match, a fitting honor in his farewell game.
After the victory, Kohli emotionally announced:
“This was my last T20I game. There’s no better way to finish than helping India lift the World Cup again.”
📊 Kohli’s T20I Career at a Glance
- Matches: 125
- Runs: 4,188
- Average: 48.9
- 50s: 38
- 100s: 1
- Highest Score: 122* vs Afghanistan
- Player of the Match awards: 15
- Player of the Series awards: 7
He finishes as one of India’s all-time leading run-scorers in T20Is, a record chaser, and a big-match player till the very end.
💬 Legacy and Impact
Kohli redefined T20 batting by blending traditional technique with modern aggression. He showed that class and temperament still hold immense value in a format increasingly dominated by power hitters.
His ability to thrive under pressure, especially in run chases, makes his T20I legacy truly unique. Future Indian batters — and cricket fans — will look back at his journey as a blueprint for consistency and grace in the shortest format.
Virat Kohli’s T20I journey began quietly in Harare but ended with roars in Barbados. From debutant to World Cup-winning hero, his career came full circle — and cricket fans around the world will remember June 29, 2024, as the day a legend bowed out in style.
