Recently, Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to Kohli for his retirement from Test cricket, talking about how he has inspired many young players in India. The cricketer remembered a heartfelt moment in 2013 when Kohli tried to give him a thread of his late father after Sachin’s last Test match, an offer he couldn’t accept as it was deeply personal. Tendulkar further wished Kohli well and expressed his goodwill for him.
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In the post shared on X, Tendulkar stated, “As you walk away from Test cricket, I think about your kind gesture from 12 years back. Offering me a thread from your dad was really heartfelt, but I couldn’t take it. It’s something I hold dear since then. I don’t really have a thread to give back, but you have my deepest respect and best wishes.”
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He paid tribute to Kohli’s great career, saying, Your biggest legacy is inspiring young cricketers to take up the game. You’ve done so much for Indian cricket—not just with your runs, but by cultivating a new generation of ardent fans and players. Congrats on an incredible Test career.
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
Virat Kohli has often mentioned that Tendulkar was his idol and a large part of him entering cricket. With Kohli’s departure from Test cricket, he leaves behind a legacy second only to that of Tendulkar in fame and impact. He has scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, having captained the side in 68 matches.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote earlier in the day on Instagram. “Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” he added.
