Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt message for Virat Kohli after he announced his retirement from Test cricket. Sachin said that, aside from all the runs Kohli scored, he has also inspired a new generation of passionate fans and players in Indian cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar Shares Heartfelt Message for Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli decided to retire from Test cricket on Monday, May 12. He posted an emotional message on Instagram, saying that while it wasn’t an easy decision, he felt it was the right time.
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Virat Kohli made his Test debut in 2010 against Zimbabwe and played his last game in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. During this time, he became one of the best batters in the world and transformed the India National Cricket Team into a dominant force.
Kohli captained India for seven years, changing the way Indian cricket was seen globally.
Sachin Remembers Kohli’s Gesture from His Own Retirement
As Kohli retired from Test cricket, his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, remembered how Kohli gave him a thread from his late father on his own retirement. Sachin tweeted that while he couldn’t give Kohli a thread, he has his deepest admiration and best wishes.
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“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. Your true legacy, Virat, lies in inspiring countless young cricketers to pick up the sport.”
Further in his post, Sachin Tendulkar praised Virat Kohli for his incredible Test career, saying he gave more to Indian cricket than just runs. He highlighted how Kohli inspired a new generation of passionate fans and players. He added:
“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. Congratulations on a very special Test career.”
Check out the tweet:
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… pic.twitter.com/JaVzVxG0mQ
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 12, 2025
In his 123 Test matches, Virat Kohli scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His impressive record also includes 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
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