Virat Kohli, the superstar of Indian cricket, who has said goodbye to Test cricket, has been paid a heart-touching tribute by Sri Lanka’s famous umpire Kumar Dharmasena.
Dharmasena not only described Kohli as a great batsman, but also called his signed Test jersey the most precious gift in his collection.
Dharmasena’s emotional message
Dharmasena said in an emotional video, “Virat, it has always been a pleasure for me to umpire your matches. Your passion for Test cricket was amazing.”
He also said that Kohli’s leaving Test cricket is a sad day for the world of cricket.
Dharmasena wrote on his Instagram,
“From fierce battles on the field to respectful nods at the crease – it was always a pleasure to officiate your games, Virat. Your passion for Test cricket was unmatched. Wishing you
the very best as you step away from the longest format.✨Your autographed Test jersey remains one of the most special mementos in my collection – a reminder of a true legend of the game.”
Kohli’s magic on the field
Virat Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 and scored 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. From 2016-2019, his annual average was never less than 55, above 75 in 2016 and 2017. He retired as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer.
Dharmasena’s career was also closely linked to Kohli’s Test career. He started as an umpire in 2010, just when Kohli was making his mark in Tests.
Dharmasena has umpired in 90 Test matches and is considered one of the most trusted umpires in the world.
Before this, he himself was a brilliant cricketer, taking 69 wickets and scoring 868 runs in 31 Tests for Sri Lanka.
Dharamsena called Kohli “one of the greatest batsmen of all time”.
His statement clearly shows how special Kohli’s influence on the field was. Dharamsena also showed the jersey that Kohli had gifted him.
He says, “I once asked him for a jersey, and he immediately signed it and gave it to me.”
