He was the inheritor obvious when Sachin Tendulkar was within the twilight of his profession and on Monday (May 12, 2025) when Virat Kohli bid adieu to his storied Test run, the ‘Master Blaster’ recalled a thread that turned a binding drive between them.
It was 12 years in the past when Tendulkar was enjoying his final Test in Mumbai when Kohli, then 24, already a world champion and in a nascent stage of his Test profession, got here as much as his idol with a “thoughtful gesture”.
“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,” Tendulkar remembered in a submit on X whereas paying his tribute to the trendy day nice, who referred to as it quits after 123 Tests and 9230 runs.
“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,” Tendulkar stated.
Kohli misplaced his father as a teenager and has usually talked in regards to the void it created in his life.
Kohli has additionally by no means hidden his reverence for the Mumbaikar. He had carried Tendulkar on his shoulders throughout a victory lap after India received the 2011 World Cup.
This was after famously proclaiming that “Sachin Tendulkar carried the burden of the entire nation for 21 years, so it’s time we carried him on our shoulders”.
Tendulkar was effusive in his reward for the batter, who was extensively thought of his successor regardless that he’s ending his profession with out attaining the ten,000 run mark. Tendulkar amassed 15,921 runs in his Test profession that lasted over 20 years.
“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 wrote.
“Congratulations on a very special Test career,” he signed off.
Published – May 12, 2025 11:36 pm IST
