Actor Anushka Sharma penned a lengthy note for her husband, ace cricketer Virat Kohli, after he announced his resignation as Test captain. Emphasizing her pride in him, she also mentioned that she has seen him taken on challenges that were not always on the field. Anushka said that ‘pretense’ was his foe, and that he was unconventional and straightforward.
Sharing a photo of Virat, Anushka wrote, “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 & I having a chat later that day & 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 & within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team & what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I’m more proud of the growth you achieved within you.”
She added that In 2014 they were ‘so young & naive’. “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? It tests you in places where you least expect it to but where you need it the most. And my love, I am so proud of you for not letting anything come in the way of your good intentions.”
Anushka wrote that Virat led by example and ‘gave winning on field every ounce of 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 & this is what you expected from everyone. You’ve been unconventional & straightforward. Pretense is your foe & this is what makes you great in my eyes & the eyes of your admirers.”
Anushka has been a common feature at all the Indian cricket team matches, cheering them on, celebrating their victories as well as mourning their losses.
In her note, she continued also mentioning that their daughter Vamika, would be proud of her father. ” 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 & 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. Our daughter will see the learning of these 7 years in the father that you are to her. You did good.”
Virat Kohli announced his resignation from test captaincy in a long post, which was met by much sadness by his legions of fans, as well as celebrities such as Ranveer Singh and Nakuul Mehta, who hailed him as the ‘king who would always be king’.