Star Indian batter Virat Kohli made a heartwarming gesture by gifting his bat to Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan after the conclusion of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park, Kanpur. The moment quickly went viral on social media, capturing the cricketing world’s attention.
Ahead of the second Test, Shakib had hinted that the upcoming Test series against South Africa could be his last in red-ball cricket. However, due to the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh, it’s uncertain whether Shakib will return home to play in that series. This raises the possibility that Shakib may have already played his final Test match.
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On Day 4 of the Kanpur Test, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla was asked if any special tribute was planned for Shakib on the final day. Shukla responded that there had been no official communication from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding Shakib’s retirement.
Virat Kohli gifted his signed bat to Shakib Al Hasan and congratulated him❤️
– King Kohli as always! 🥹🫡 pic.twitter.com/8RHS27i9lw
— प्रशिक्षित 🇮🇳 (@Prashikshit7) October 1, 2024
“We were under the impression that Shakib would play his last game at home next month. Officially, nothing has been informed to us about his retirement. If we hear anything formally, we will definitely think over it,” Shukla said in a press conference.
Shakib Al Hasan has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh cricket, having played 71 Tests, amassing 4609 runs at an average of 37.77, and taking 246 wickets in the longest format. He was also part of the squad that secured a historic Test series victory against Pakistan before facing India.
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Despite his legacy, Shakib’s recent form in Test cricket has waned. In the series against India, he scored just 66 runs in four innings and picked up four wickets, signaling a dip in performance during what might be his final red-ball appearances. His potential retirement would be a significant loss for Bangladesh cricket.
