It was 12 years ago when Sachin Tendulkar was playing his last Test in Mumbai when Virat Kohli came up to 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 post on X while paying his tribute to the modern day great.
“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 said.
“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.