New Delhi/Mumbai. Hugging each other in celebration of victory, wiping each other’s tears in the sorrow of defeat, appreciating each other’s achievements on the crease, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were always seen standing together like Jai and Veeru of the movie ‘Sholay’ and now both have bid farewell to T20 cricket together.
After the victory, the pictures of both of them crying while hugging each other or with the tricolour wrapped around their shoulders touched the hearts of 140 crore Indians.
There is no similarity in the personalities of both. One is fire and the other is water. One is a typical Vada Pav eating Mumbaikar and the other is a Chole Bhature loving Delhikar. But still for the last 15 years both have been complementary to each other. In sorrow, happiness, victory and defeat.
After defeating South Africa in the West Indies and winning the T20 World Cup, Rohit lay down on the ground, his eyes brimming with tears. Kohli, on the other hand, hid his emotions and quietly went to the dressing room for a while. He wanted to celebrate the victory but also wanted to be alone. What the two share is respect for each other’s skills and achievements.
Rohit knew very well that Kohli has decided to retire, whatever be the result of the final. This is the reason why Rohit gave him that opportunity in the prize distribution after the match and did not announce his retirement. He announced it in the press conference.
When two legends are playing together in the same era, differences are inevitable because it is said that two swords cannot stay in one sheath. There is so much at stake in Indian cricket that two swords learn to stay together in one sheath.
Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev were playing together in the 80s when there was no social media. In those days, there used to be musical chairs regarding captaincy but the respect of these two stalwarts for each other did not diminish. Rohit and Virat are the legends of the social media era. Both of them maintained their dignity in this era of making a mountain out of a molehill. After India’s defeat in the World Cup semi-final 2019, reports of rift in their relationship started coming. Kohli decided to leave the T20 captaincy and BCCI made Rohit the captain in both the limited overs formats. Some posts that went viral on social media show how much respect both of them have for each other.
Kohli had said in the ‘Breakfast with Champions’ podcast a few years ago, “When he first came, everyone used to say that a player has come, Rohit Sharma. I thought that we are also young players, what kind of player has come that no one is talking about us. Then when I saw his innings against South Africa in the T20 World Cup, I sunk into the sofa. I told myself that brother, keep quiet after today.” Similarly, Rohit said, “Virat has always been a champion cricketer. We all know what he has done for us.” Both have had their own struggles. Kohli had to prove himself in the corrupt environment of Delhi cricket in which his late father had refused to give bribe for Under 15 selection.
Rohit’s uncle told the authorities of Swami Vivekanand School in Borivali that he would not be able to pay the monthly fee of Rs 200. He got a scholarship in sports. Just as the picture of Gavaskar holding Kapil’s hand on the balcony of Lord’s during the 1983 World Cup is etched in the minds of cricket lovers, similarly people will never forget Rohit and Kohli hugging each other after winning the T20 World Cup. The pictures of this Jai and Veeru of Indian cricket will definitely bring tears to the eyes of cricket lovers. Anyway, legends never retire.
After the T20 World Cup victory, Anushka wrote an emotional message for Virat, congratulated the Indian team
Actress Anushka Sharma wrote an emotional message on social media for her husband and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli on India’s victory in the T20 World Cup and congratulated the entire team for the victory. Kohli scored 76 runs in 59 balls with the help of two sixes and six fours in the title match of the T20 World Cup and was the ‘Player of the Match’ in the seven-run victory in the final against South Africa. He also announced his retirement from T20 international cricket after playing the role of a mastermind in getting India its second T20 World Cup.
Anushka Sharma watched this exciting match on TV. Immediately after the Indian team’s victory, Sharma wrote on Instagram, “And… I love this man.” She expressed her gratitude for having a life partner like Virat and wrote, “Go, now drink water and celebrate the victory.” Sharma also shared a picture of Virat holding the trophy with this post.
In another post, the actress wrote, “When our daughter saw all the players crying on TV, her biggest concern was whether there was anyone to hug them… Yes, my dear daughter, they were hugged by 1.5 billion people. Great victory and amazing achievement. Congratulations to the winners.” Virat and Anushka got married in 2017. They have a three-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son.