It all began with a young 20-year-old lifting the World Cup. It’s ended with a seasoned 37-year-old legend lifting the World Cup. And in these 17 years, he’s smashed records, broken boundaries, set the template for the rest of the world to follow, and like all good things that come to an end, Rohit Sharma, has decided to pull down the curtains on a legendary T20I career for India.

“I have loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format and this is what I wanted (the World Cup). I wanted to win the cup and say (salute),” Rohit said at the post-match press conference after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados on June 29.

Let’s roll back to 2007. Against South Africa, in a must-win encounter, with the team struggling on a spicy green wicket, the announcement to the world comes in the form of a match-winning fifty. He then followed it up with a quick cameo at the death against Pakistan in the Final. The world knew a special talent was unearthed. Rohit Sharma was here to stay.

He soon moved up to open, and well, as did the run-gates. Five centuries – the most by any batter in T20Is, 4231 runs – the most by any batter in T20Is, 205 sixes – the most by any batter in T20Is, and 50 wins as a captain – the most by any skipper in the world. Rohit Sharma was knocking on the doors of greatness.

Back in the present, in 2024, he was battling a monkey that refused to leave his back - eleven years of heartbreak for India in ICC events. Rohit decided to walk the talk. Adopting a new approach of fearless batting and throwing away the role of an anchor, he set the tone right at the top. A crazy 41-ball 92 against the Aussies, an equally whirlwind 39-ball 57 on a tough turning track against England in the semi-final, and the template was set. The eyes were set. And the goal was nailed. The monkey was thrown away.

“Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years. To be honest, we worked very hard as individuals and as a team a team, lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and win this game. It is not what we did today, it is what we have been doing for the last 3-4 years. That's the result that has come for us today,” he said at the end of the game.

Well, goodbyes are hard. But we’ve loved every moment of this too, Ro! On behalf of the entire MI Paltan and the OneFamily, there’s nothing but pride in seeing our man bring happiness to 1.4 billion Indians. Thank you, legend.