As Virat Kohli stepped away from the longest format of the game, cricketing legends, fans, and fellow players around the world poured in their tributes — and among the most heartfelt was from the God of Cricket himself, Sachin Tendulkar.
With Kohli’s retirement marking the end of an era in Indian Test cricket, Tendulkar took a nostalgic route to express what the former India captain has meant to him personally and to the sport.
Recalling their very first interaction, Tendulkar shared a delightful memory from the Indian dressing room. Kohli, then a newcomer, was tricked by his teammates into touching Tendulkar’s feet, a prank that left the veteran amused.
“The first time I met you in the Indian dressing room, you were pranked by other teammates into touching my feet. I couldn’t stop laughing that day,” Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). That moment may have been lighthearted, but what followed was a journey of greatness that left a lasting impression on Tendulkar.
He went on to express his admiration for Kohli’s fierce dedication and excellence. “But soon, you touched my heart with your passion and skill,” he added. Watching Kohli grow from a fearless youngster into a record-breaking giant has been a matter of pride for Indian cricket fans — and no one felt that more deeply than Tendulkar himself.
The bond between the two legends became even more symbolic when Kohli broke Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries in ODIs during the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Reflecting on that milestone, Tendulkar shared a beautiful sentiment: “I couldn’t be happier that an Indian broke my record. And to do it on the biggest stage — in the World Cup Semi-final — and at my home ground is the icing on the cake.” It was a rare moment of sporting poetry — one icon passing the torch to another in front of a roaring home crowd in Mumbai.
Now, as Kohli bids farewell to Test cricket after 123 matches, 9230 runs, 31 fifties, 7 double centuries and 30 centuries, the emotion runs deep. For Sachin, for fans, and for the game itself, Kohli’s career has been a journey to cherish, a blend of grit, greatness, and unmatched commitment.
While the whites may be packed away, the legacy Virat leaves behind continues to earn respect from the greatest names in the sport, none greater than Tendulkar himself.