India batter Virat Kohli delivered a heartfelt speech at the Wankhede Stadium during the T20 World Cup 2024 winning team’s felicitation ceremony. Kohli was named the Player of the Final for his match-winning innings of 76 runs.

Kohli shared that it was the first time in 15 years that he had seen Rohit Sharma so emotional following India’s first ICC trophy win since 2013.

“This is the first time in 15 years that I have seen Rohit show so much emotion. When we were climbing those steps (at Kensington Oval), he was crying and I was crying,” Kohli said during the ceremony.

“I hope we (Rohit and I) have carried the burden and there’s no better place to bring the trophy back than here (Wankhede). Halfway through the game, I knew it was time to let the next generation take over,” he added.

Having retired from the T20I format, Kohli reflected on not understanding why his seniors cried when India won the 2011 World Cup at the same venue. Now, he says, he understands their emotions.

“I couldn’t connect with the emotions of the senior players who cried that night, but now I do,” said the veteran Indian cricketer.