Pune: As the Indian cricket team triumphed over South Africa to win the T20 World Cup 2024, both captain Rohit Sharma and star cricketer Virat Kohli announced their retirement from international T20 cricket.

While fans were saddened by the news, many appreciated the timing of their decision, as both players retired in top form and after securing a major win for India. Both players stated that they were retiring to give opportunities to younger talents.

Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Sharad Pawar, who also President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), also conveyed his best wishes during a press conference in Pune. Pawar commented on the "timing of retirement."

Sharad Pawar said, "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both excellent players. It's commendable that they chose to retire while still in great form. Athletes often lose their form after a certain period, but these two have made the right decision at the peak of their careers. Their contributions to world cricket and India's reputation in the sport are significant. Now, they are stepping aside to make way for new talents, which is a commendable stance."

After the split in NCP in 2023, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took a veiled swipe at his uncle, Sharad Pawar, highlighting the retirement ages in various sectors.

Addressing party legislators and workers in Bandra, Ajit Pawar had said, "IAS officers retire at 60, BJP leaders retire at 75, and you are 83. When will you decide to step down?" Ajit Pawar had further stated, "You (Sharad Pawar) should give us your blessings. But at 83, isn't it time to consider stepping back? We seek your blessings and wish for your long life."

In a sharp rebuttal later Sharad Pawar responded emphatically. "I have a grievance with all of you. You frequently comment on my age, saying I am 84 or 83 years old. What have you seen in me so far? I haven't grown old. I still possess a lot of strength. I can still straighten some people out," Sharad Pawar declared during a public event on Sunday.