In an unprecedented intersection of national security and sporting sentiment, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday paid a heartfelt tribute to Virat Kohli during the high-profile Operation Sindoor press briefing, calling the Indian cricket icon his “favourite cricketer” following Kohli’s announcement of retirement from Test cricket.

DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai reacts to Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket

The press conference, held at Army Headquarters, was primarily convened to update the nation on the outcomes of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a major military operation targeting terror infrastructure across the border. However, as questions shifted from military strategy to matters of national pride, Lt Gen Ghai took a moment to acknowledge Kohli’s remarkable contribution to Indian cricket, reflecting the cricketer’s impact beyond the sporting arena.

“Aaj shayad cricket ki baat bhi karni chahiye, kyuki mai dekh raha tha Virat Kohli ne Test cricket se retirement leli. Kai bhaartiyo ki tarah, woh mere bhi favourite cricketer hain,” [Maybe today I should talk about cricket too, because I saw that Virat Kohli has retired from Test cricket. Like many Indians, he is my favourite cricketer as well]. The DGMO’s comments drew smiles and applause from the assembled media and military officials, underscoring Kohli’s stature as a unifying figure for the country.

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Kohli, 36, announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier in the day, ending a storied 14-year career that saw him amass 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 48.7, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His leadership and aggressive style redefined India’s approach to the longest format, making him the nation’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins from 68 matches. Kohli’s decision came just ahead of the five-match Test series against England, marking the close of an era in Indian cricket.

Operation Sindoor, meanwhile, was declared a resounding success by the DGMO. The operation, which targeted key terror infrastructure in Pakistan, resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets, and significant damage to enemy military assets. Lt Gen Ghai detailed the precision and coordination involved, crediting the armed forces’ commitment and resilience for the operation’s achievements.

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