After Virat Kohli hung up his boots from the format on Monday, May 12, tennis legend Novak Djokovic became the most recent member of the sports community to congratulate the star batsman on his Test career. Djokovic praised the Indian legend on Instagram.
“Incredible innings @virat.kohli 🙌🏻” was the caption Novak Djokovic used when sharing Kohli’s retirement post.
It’s interesting to note that Novak Djokovic has previously described how, despite never having actually met, he and Kohli have been friends for a few years.
“I’ve been texting Virat Kohli occasionally for a few years. It was an honour and a joy to hear him talk well of me, even if we were never able to meet in person. I respect his accomplishments and career. I took up cricket. At it, I’m not very good. In 2024, Djokovic stated on Sony Sports, “I have a task to perfect my cricket skills before I get to India so that I don’t embarrass myself when I am there.”
Kohli continued by sharing an intriguing story about their first encounter and developing relationship while corresponding on Instagram.
“I connected with Novak Djokovic in a very natural way. I assumed I would just message him when I clicked the message button on his Instagram page. Then I noticed his message on my direct message. I had never opened it. I had never opened my own messages before. Additionally, he sent me a message. At first, I reasoned that perhaps it was a phoney account, so I decided to check. I double-checked and it was authentic. Then we started conversing. Occasionally, we have been exchanging messages. Kohli told the BCCI’s social media team, “I congratulated him for all his amazing achievements.”
Kohli also mentioned how much they respected one another and how the Indian cricket player held Djokovic in high regard for his commitment on fitness. For those who were unaware, Djokovic also shared an Instagram story following Kohli’s 50th ODI century.
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