India, you will no longer have Virat Kohli standing up for you in T20 Internationals. Are you sad? Or are you relieved?

No longer will a classical genius with the bat pad up for the country in the youngest format of the game. And so no longer will the critics be able to point fingers at his strike rate overlooking the master’s craft.

He wastes balls, he fails to change gears, he is not suited for slam-bang cricket... The complaints were many. But all that will fall silent after the modern-day great announced in Bridgetown on Saturday that he has played the last of his T20Is. But before that, he has gifted India it’s fourth world crown.

All those who thought Kohli’s approach in T20s was outdated should just try and take away 76 runs from India’s total of 176/7 at Kensington Oval in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. What would that leave India with? Certainly not the trophy.

Kohli did not dump his game for the sake of the format on Saturday. With India three down for 34, Kohli played like Kohli. He reached his fifty off 48 balls with just four boundaries. No fancy strokes, no reverse scoops, just plain and simple cricket. Once past 50, he struck his first six, when he slapped Kagiso Rabada over long-on. By the time he got out, he had six fours and two sixes in his account and was batting at a strike rate of 128.81. Slow by T20 standards, isn’t it? No. It’s masterful innings, paced to perfection under the circumstances.

At the end of it all, Kohli let flow his emotions. “This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can’t get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. My last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it. Wanted to lift the Cup, wanted to respect the situation rather than force it,” the Man of the Match said.

“It’s time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high.”

Yes, the young guns will take over. But will we have another Kohli? One who will see T20 in the eye and then dare to paint a silken cover drive?

India, your greatest modern-day batsman has just taken off his pads. He is 35. Why couldn’t he continue? Retired hurt, maybe.