Afghanistan's Gurbaz earns Virat Kohli's respect, gifted bats after Ahmedabad show
India Today
T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli gifted Rahmanullah Gurbaz two bats after his stunning T20 World Cup knock. The Afghan star called Kohli "not just a legend, but the inspiration for all generations" on Instagram.
Virat Kohli gifted Rahmanullah Gurbaz two bats following his stunning performance against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Though Afghanistan fell short, Gurbaz's knock was one for the ages—a performance that will live long in his country's cricketing memory.
The Afghan star took to Instagram to express his gratitude. "Thank you for the most amazing gift @virat.kohli bhai. You are not just a legend, you are the inspiration for all generations," he wrote. The heartfelt message captured the respect and admiration Gurbaz holds for one of cricket's greatest players.
A post shared by Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@rahmanullah.gurbaz)
This isn't the first time Kohli has shared his prized bats with fellow cricketers. The Indian legend has made it something of a tradition, gifting bats to players across the world—from RCB captain Rajat Patidar to Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan and India's own Rinku Singh. It's a simple act that speaks volumes about his character and the respect he commands in the cricketing fraternity.
These gestures have become part of Kohli's legacy, showing that greatness isn't just about runs and records. For young players like Gurbaz, receiving a bat from Kohli represents more than just equipment—it's validation, inspiration, and a tangible connection to excellence.
Kohli returned to India on Thursday after a month-long stay in London. Having recently retired from Tests and T20Is, his last T20I appearance was unforgettable—a match-winning 76 off 59 balls in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa that earned him Player of the Match honours. It was the perfect farewell to the format, ending his T20I career on the highest possible note.
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On this day on March 14, 2001, India overcame a massive first-innings deficit to script a remarkable 171-run victory against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test, powered by the record-breaking partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and a dominant display by Harbhajan Singh on the final day.