Hall gifted Kohli his book ‘Answering to the Call’, and the two had a meaningful interaction, during which Hall praised Kohli and expressed his wishes for his continued success with the Indian team.
“I just wish to tell you, I have seen a lot of great players and you are a great player, I’m telling you that because it’s true. God bless you and I hope you continue to play for India,” Hall said, acknowledging Kohli’s contributions to cricket.
WATCH:
Kohli graciously accepted Hall’s book and posed for photographs with the former cricketer. The book, published in November 2022, chronicles Hall’s cricketing career and his rise to prominence as one of the best in the game.
The meeting between Kohli and Hall showcased mutual respect and admiration. Hall thanked Kohli for taking the time to meet him, saying, “Thank you for coming because you come to practise and there you have to go and see the old man.”
Kohli responded, “Not at all, pleasure,” showing his appreciation for the interaction.
In addition to Kohli, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma also received copies of Hall’s book. The second part of ‘Answering to the Call’, released this year, details Hall’s experiences as a senator and a politician.
“I gave three books today. I gave a book to the captain (Rohit Sharma) and another one to the coach (Rahul Dravid) and Virat Kohli. All three of them are great players. It’s good to see people getting rewarded. Sometimes, you are a good player, and you haven’t made it. I think they have done very well for India,” Hall told ANI.
Hall’s words and actions underscored his deep respect for the contributions made by Kohli, Sharma, and Dravid to Indian cricket. The meeting between past and present cricketing icons symbolized the rich legacy and ongoing impact of the sport.