‘You offered to gift me a thread from your late father': Sachin Tendulkar shares heartwarming post after Virat Kohli retires
With Virat Kohli announcing his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, legendary Indian player Sachin Tendulkar posted a heartwarming post for a player who was at one time considered his heir apparent, filling the large shoes that Sachin left after his retirement.
In the post, Tendulkar talked about an incident when in his final Test in Mumbai, Kohli had gifted him his late father's thread. Kohli had also mentioned this incident in a podcast called In Depth with Graham Bensinger in 2022.
'To make him understand what impact he had on me… the most special thing I have is a thread… so my father gave one to me, which he used to have. Just to keep with me. So I used to keep that with me in my bag. And I thought this is the most valuable thing I have… I couldn't give him (Tendulkar) anything more valuable,' Kohli had said.
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
So, with Kohli now hanging up his boots, Tendulkar shared the story again on his X handle while congratulating him on a very special 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 may not have a thread to offer in return, please know that you carry my deepest admiration and very best wishes,' Sachin posted.
'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,' he added.
The 36-year-old Kohli brought down the curtains on a prolific red-ball career, spanning 14 years and 123 Tests. The Delhi batter made his Test debut against the West Indies on June 20, 2011, in Kingston.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
IPL 2025
A banker by profession , a sportsman by heart,one who eats, sleeps and breathes cricket. Mantra for life - Play each ball on merits & keep the scoreboard moving. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, which concluded on June 3, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinching their maiden title against Punjab Kings (PBKS), was a showcase of emerging talent. Among the standout performers were uncapped Indian players who made significant impacts, proving their potential to be future stars. In this article, I have picked my uncapped XII, backed by key statistics from the season to highlight why they form an exciting combination. Top order: Explosive young guns 1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player to make waves in IPL history. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, his explosive batting was a revelation. In 7 innings, Vaibhav scored 252 runs at an average of 36.00 and a staggering strike rate of 206.50, including a century (101 off 38 balls) against Gujarat Titans and a fifty (57 off 33). His fearless approach, highlighted by a strike rate of more than 200 (highest in IPL 2025 for players facing at least 50 balls), made him a standout opener. Despite a duck against Mumbai Indians, his ability to dominate attacks marked him as a prodigy. 2. Priyansh Arya (Punjab Kings) Priyansh Arya, another dynamic opener, from Punjab Kings, was a run-machine at the top. Playing his first-ever IPL, he amassed 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.24 in 17 innings, including a sensational century off 39 balls. His consistency and ability to accelerate made him a key figure in PBKS campaign, challenging some of the top batters for the Orange Cap. Arya's aggressive stroke play and composure under pressure earned him a spot in this squad, forming a formidable opening pair with Suryavanshi. 3. Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings) Ayush Mhatre, signed as a mid-season replacement for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, emerged as a gem for Chennai Super Kings. Batting at the top, Mhatre impressed with his technique and flair, providing much needed firepower to CSK's batting in the powerplay. He scored 240 runs in 7 innings at an outstanding strike rate of 188.97. Middle order: Stability and firepower 4. Prabhsimran Singh – Wicketkeeper (Punjab Kings) Prabhsimran Singh, the wicketkeeper-batter for Punjab Kings, brought dynamism to the side along with his opening partner Priyansh. Known for his aggressive batting, he amassed 549 runs at a strike rate of 160.52 in 17 innings. As a big-hitting keeper-batter he is a vital cog in this line-up, doubling as the team's gloveman. 5. Nehal Wadhera (Punjab Kings) Nehal Wadhera, acquired by Punjab Kings for ₹4.20 crore, is a reliable middle-order batter. His ability to stabilize innings while accelerating when needed makes him a perfect foil at no.5 for the big-hitters above and below him. Wadhera's versatility and clutch performances enabled him to score 369 runs in 15 innings at strike rate of 145.84. 6. Shashank Singh – Captain (Punjab Kings) Shashank Singh continued to be a revelation for Punjab Kings, delivering match-winning knocks under pressure. His all-round batting prowess, combining power and finesse, made him a key middle-order player. He scored 350 runs at a strike rate of 153.50 with 3 fifties which highlights his impact as a finisher and a dependable batter. All-rounders and bowlers: The game-changers 7. Naman Dhir (Mumbai Indians) Naman Dhir, Mumbai Indians' uncapped all-rounder, added depth to the line-up with his batting and occasional bowling. His aggressive approach and ability to contribute in multiple facets made him an asset. He scored 252 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 182.60 which makes him an ideal number seven, offering flexibility as a finisher or stabilizer, if required. 8. Vipraj Nigam (Delhi Capitals) Vipraj Nigam, a bowling all-rounder for Delhi Capitals, impressed with both bat and ball. His ability to contribute in crunch situations earned him recognition as a breakout star. He picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.12 with his leg-spin while contributing 142 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 179.74 lower down the order. The bowling arsenal 9. Digvesh Rathi (Lucknow Super Giants) Digvesh Rathi, the leg-spinner for Lucknow Super Giants, was a standout bowler, claiming 14 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 30.64 and an economy rate of 8.25. His signature celebrations became a fan favourite, but his ability to outfox batters with clever variations was his true strength. Rathi's inclusion as the lead spinner in this XI underscores his impact as one of the best uncapped bowlers in IPL 2025. 10. Anshul Kamboj (Chennai Super Kings) Anshul Kamboj, CSK's right-arm pacer, had a decent campaign, taking 8 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 21.50, with a best of 3-13. His ability to bowl at different stages of the game made him a versatile resource. Kamboj's pace and accuracy earn him a spot in this squad. 11. Yash Dayal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) Yash Dayal, RCB's left-arm pacer, played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign. He picked up 13 wickets at an average of 36.15, contributing to RCB's success in crucial matches. His ability to bowl tight lines and take wickets in the middle overs made him a reliable option. Dayal's experience and skill make him the spearhead of this bowling attack. Impact substitute: Ashwani Kumar (Mumbai Indians) Ashwani Kumar, Mumbai Indians' left-arm pacer, was a revelation with the ball. In 7 matches, he took 11 wickets at an average of 21.09 with a best of 4-24 on debut. His ability to swing the ball and deliver in high-pressure situations made him a key component of MI's bowling attack. His inclusion as an impact sub adds depth to the bowling unit, ready to replace a batter or bowler as needed. Why this XII stands out This uncapped XII combines youthful exuberance with match-winning potential. The top order, led by Suryavanshi, Arya, and Mhatre, provides explosive starts, while Prabhsimran, Wadhera, and Shashank offer stability and firepower in the middle. Dhir and Nigam add all-round depth, and the bowling attack—featuring Rathi's spin, Dayal's swing, Kamboj's versatility, and Kumar's pace —is well-rounded. With a blend of high strike rates, wicket-taking ability, and clutch performances, this team could rival any IPL side. This uncapped squad encapsulates the spirit of the tournament, showcasing talent that could soon dominate Indian cricket. As these players continue to grow, their IPL 2025 performances will be remembered as the launchpad for their careers. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
UK woman swoons over India's garbage truck jingle
Credit: X/@sociallywanderful India's music scene is known for producing some absolute bangers — from Bollywood hits to indie chart-toppers. But for one British woman, the song that stole her heart wasn't playing in a nightclub or movie — it was blaring from a garbage truck. Deanna Leigh, a 23-year-old travel vlogger from the UK, recently went viral after posting a hilarious and wholesome video about falling in love with India's municipal waste collection jingle. The tune? The familiar 'Swachh Bharat ka irada, irada kar liya humne…' — instantly recognizable across the country as the anthem of cleanliness drives and, more commonly, the soundtrack to your local trash van. 'I kept hearing it in Jodhpur and thought it was just a really catchy morning song people liked,' Deanna admitted in her video, laughing at her mistake. 'I had no idea it was announcing garbage pickup!' In the clip, a garbage truck can be seen rolling down the street as the upbeat jingle plays, while Deanna listens in, clearly amused and unexpectedly impressed. In her caption, she wrote: 'My new favourite song in India! At one point, this was all I would hear in the mornings. I had no clue what it meant… but damn, what a banger!' She first heard the tune while traveling through Rajasthan and Agra, where different versions are commonly played by municipal vans. 'Each city has its own tune, but this one was my favourite,' she added. And now? She's seriously considering bringing the concept home. 'Can we use this back in the UK? I think it might make bin days 10 times better,' she joked. Deanna's reaction has struck a chord with Indian netizens, who are both entertained and oddly proud. One user commented, 'Honestly, it's a banger.' A second user wrote, 'This song was a nightmare and an alarm for me for 7 straight years.' However a third user noted that his personal favourite is another OG song. He wrote, 'Nobody can beat the OG song though: 'Kude wala aaya ghr se khachra nikaal.'
India.com
39 minutes ago
- India.com
Ravi Shastri to Heinrich Klaasen: Cricketers who retired at young age
South Africa's star wicketkeeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen has recently retired from international cricket. He retired at the age of just 33. England's wicketkeeper batsman James Taylor retired at the age of just 26. World champion Indian player Sandeep Patil retired at the age of 29. Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq said goodbye to international cricket at the age of just 28. England bowler Zafar Ansari retired at the age of 25. England wicketkeeper batsman Craig Kieswetter was forced to retire at the age of 27 after getting injured. Ravi Shastri said goodbye to international cricket at the age of 31. Former South African batsman Graeme Smith retired in 2014 at the age of 33.
