Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma on Sunday shared a heartfelt note, hailing husband Virat Kohli as someone who "always stand up for doing the right thing". Kohli stepped down as the Test captain of the Indian national cricket team on Saturday. (More Cricket News)
Kohli led India to the top of the world Test rankings and helped the team record memorable series wins in Australia. But his resignation came after India's series defeat in South Africa. The 33-year-old had had recently stepped down as the T20 captain and was later sacked as ODI captain by the BCCI.
Sharma took to Instagram and wrote, "You did good" and reflected on the many challenges Kohli had faced while leading the national team.
"I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you and I having a chat later that day and him joking about how quickly your beard will start turning grey. We all had a good laugh about it. Since that day, I’ve seen more than just your beard turning grey.
"I’ve seen growth. Immense growth. Around you and within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team and what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I’m more proud of the growth you achieved within you," she continued.
She said "thinking that just good intentions, positive drive & motives can take you ahead in life. They definitely do but, not without challenges. A lot of these challenges that you faced were not always on the field. But then, this is life right?"
"I am so proud of you for not letting anything come in the way of your good intentions. You led by example and gave winning on field every ounce of your energy to the extent that after some losses I’ve sat next to you with tears in your eyes, while you wondered if there's still something more you could have done."
"This is who you are and this is what you expected from everyone. You've been unconventional and straightforward. Pretence is your foe & this is what makes you great in my eyes and the eyes of your admirers."
"Because underneath all this were your pure, unadulterated intentions always. And not everyone will be able to truly understand that. Like I’ve said, truly blessed are those who tried to get to know you beneath what meets the eye. You are not perfect and have your flaws but then again when did you ever try to conceal that?"
"What you did was to always stand up for doing the right thing, the harder thing, always! You held on to nothing with greed, not even this position & I know that. Because when one holds on to something so tightly they limit themselves & you, my love, are limitless."
They got married in 2017 and became parents to their baby girl in January 2021.
"Our daughter will see the learning of these 7 years in the father that you are to her. You did good," Sharma concluded.
Rohit Sharma, who took over the limited-overs reins and is the hot favourite to become Test captain, said that the development left him "shocked".
The opener added, "But congratulations on a successful stint as Indian captain."
A recuperating Rohit will also miss the ODI leg of India's tour of South Africa, which starts January 19 at Boland Park in Paarl.
