Virat Kohli retired from Tests after 123 matches and 9230 runs with 30 centuries.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh revealed that his daughter Hinaya was heartbroken and texted Virat Kohli after he announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12. The ex-off-spinner also revealed that Kohli was kind enough to reply to his daughter with reasons behind his decision.
The young girl repeatedly questioned Harbhajan about the reasoning behind Kohli's abrupt decision. When the former India off-spinner was unable to provide a satisfying response, she made the decision to speak with Kohli directly.
According to Harbhajan, Kohli's daughter, Hinaya, texted Kohli to inquire about the reasons for his decision to quit playing red ball cricket. Kohli became emotional at once after receiving the SMS message.
He smiled and replied, "Beta, it's time."
"I tweeted and asked why, Virat, why? Why did you retire from Test cricket? Even my daughter asked me, 'Papa, why did Virat retire?' She even messaged Virat saying, 'This is Hinaya, Virat, why did you retire?' Virat's heart also sank. He smiled and replied, 'Beta, it's time". He knows the best," Harbhajan told Instant Bollywood.
Here is the video:
Harbhajan and Kohli have played 8 tests, 41 ODIs, and 5 T20Is together for India. They were also a part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team.
Kohli announced his Test retirement on May 12. The 36-year-old Kohli turned up in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9230 runs with 30 hundreds at an average of 46.85. He will only play in ODIs now, having already retired from T20 Internationals last year.