The English opener Alastair Cook received a guard of honor from Team India as he walked out to bat in his final Test on Friday. England skipper Joe Root won the coin toss for the fifth time in the series and opted to bat at the Kennington Oval. Being an opener Cook walked out with his partner Keaton Jennings, he was greeted by a row of Indian cricketers flanking him from either side near the boundary.
During the toss in the Oval Test, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli termed Cook’s record as ‘outstanding’, he said, “We have seen too much of Cook at times. Cook has been a great great player. To get 12,000 runs as an opener in these conditions and all over the world is outstanding. He will go down as one of the greatest openers in Test cricket.”
Guard of honour for Alastair Cook as he walked out to bat in his final Test! 😍#KyaHogaIssBaar #ENGvIND 5th Test LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3. #SPNSports pic.twitter.com/lNSQxlpbn4
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Talking about his retirement, Cook said, “Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face knowing I have given everything and there is nothing left in the tank. I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and felt very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game. The thought of not sharing the dressing room, again, with some of my teammates was the hardest part of my decision, but I know the timing is right.”
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Cook made his Test debut against India in 2006, hitting a century in the second innings in Nagpur. During his 12 years of international career, he has gone on to become the highest run-getter for England in the format with an average of around 45.
