Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid heartfelt tribute to star batsman Virat Kohli after the latter announced his retirement from Test cricket. Virat Kohli announced his retirement sharing a post on Instagram on Monday, May 12, marking the end to a remarkable 14-year-long career.
Tendulkar reminisced about a touching moment with Kohli, remembering that in his last Test match against the West Indies 12 years prior at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a young Kohli had given him a thread from his deceased father, who had died when Kohli was a teenager.
Tendulkar praised Kohli for building a legacy
Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, commended Kohli for creating a legacy that motivates young cricketers to pursue their aspirations.
“As you retire from Tests, I’m reminded of your thoughtful gesture 12 years ago, during my last Test. You offered to gift me a thread from your late father. It was something too personal for me to accept, but the gesture was heartwarming and has stayed with me ever since. While I may not have a thread to offer in return, please know that you carry my deepest admiration and very best wishes,” Tendulkar wrote.
“What an incredible Test career you have had! You have given Indian cricket so much more than just runs – you have given it a new generation of passionate fans and players,” he added.
Kohli’s retirement: End of an era
Virat Kohli played his first Test match during the 2011 West Indies tour and retired following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024–25. He ended his career as the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in Test cricket and holds the feat of being the Indian with the highest number of double centuries in this format with seven.
Kohli is India’s most accomplished Test captain, steering the team to 40 victories in 68 games. He exceeded MS Dhoni’s record of 27 wins when India triumphed over the West Indies 2–0 in their Test series of 2019. In limited-overs cricket, Kohli stepped back from T20 Internationals last year after India secured the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final.
