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WATCH: BCCI honors Virat Kohli with special video post his Test retirement

BCCI puts out a special video for Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, who retired from the Test format on Monday. Kohli ends his Test career as the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in the red-ball format.

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BCCI video for Virat Kohli

BCCI video for Virat Kohli Photograph: (X)

Veteran Indian cricketer Virat Kohli decided to call time on his Test career on Monday morning. The 36-year-old put out a special social media post to call an end to his near-14-year Test career, which saw him play 123 games and score 9230 runs. The Board of Control for Cricket in India put out a special video for Kohli after the decision to retire was made public. 

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Watch the video here:

BCCI released a two-minute and 27-second video which began with Virat Kohli saying, “The idea was to play Test cricket for India, and that was always the goal. The thing that excited me about Test cricket was the challenge. Being good at this level is not good enough. Test cricket is the hardest. You have to embrace it, you have to enjoy it”

In the video, Kohli can also be seen giving his teammates a pep talk on how demanding the format is. The 36-year-old was also heard saying one has to accommodate themselves to the rigours of the five-day format and compromise their game accordingly. During the course of the video, some of the best moments of Kohli as a batter and Test captain were shown. 

For the record, Kohli was the best Test captain for India with 40 wins out of the 68 games he led. The 36-year-old’s last Test was against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kohli’s final Test at home was against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Interestingly, Kohli ended his Test career as a stand-in captain due to Bumrah’s injury in the SCG Test. 

Sachin Tendulkar pens emotional post for Kohli

Former Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar took to his X handle and penned a beautiful message for Virat Kohli. The 52-year-old shared the dressing room with Kohli in the final few years of his cricketing career. Tendulkar was famously lifted by Kohli on his shoulders after India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. 

Tendulkar wrote, “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”

The former Indian batting legend also added, “Your true legacy, Virat, lies in inspiring countless young cricketers to pick up the sport. 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”

Virat Kohli BCCI