Dubai 26 August : India cricketer Virat Kohli has posted a touching post on social media giving tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and reminiscing about the times when he was the deputy to the legendary captain.Kohli who is back to the team to play in the Asia Cup here after taking a month-long break, tweeted that his time as MSD’s deputy was “most thrilling and enjoyable period” of his career and it will hold an “special” space in his heart.
“Being the trusted deputy of this man was the most enjoyable and thrilling period in my professional life.Our relationships will be unforgettable to me for all time.7+18 (heart symbol),” tweeted Kohli late on Thursday evening as he is preparing for his Asia Cup clash against arch-rival Pakistan on the 28th of August.
The numbers ‘7’ as well as ’18’ in the tweet signify the jersey numbers of Dhoni and Kohli respectively.
Kohli 33, Kohli was Dhoni’s long-time assistant in all formats prior to becoming the Test captain in 2014.Kohli was then appointed captain in the three formats in 2017.
Kohli made a special mention of the jersey numbers since ‘7’ and 18″add up to 25 on that’s the date (August 25) he wrote the emotional message.
The photo he posted via social media with the tweet was from to the 2016 T20 World Cup match against Australia in Mohali in India, where Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 off just 51 balls to lead the host to a 6-wicket win.
Kohli returned to the Indian team for the Asia Cup in T20I format after a hiatus of nearly a month following having previously played in the tour of England in July when he scored scores of 16 and 17 in two ODIs and 1 and 11 in two T20Is.He also scored the scores of 11 and 20 in the fifth Test that was rescheduled for Edgbaston.
He was then removed from the white-ball tour of West Indies and ODIs against Zimbabwe.Kohli is in a long-term lean period and has not hit 100 runs in international cricket since the beginning of November of 2019.
If Kohli is included in India’s squad to play in the Asia Cup opener against Pakistan on August 28, which is dubbed as the “greatest rivalry” in cricket it will also be the 100th T20I appearance.
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