On Friday, August 15, former India skipper Virat Kohli marked Independence Day by posting an Instagram story. The 36-year-old shared an image honouring India’s armed forces, set against the backdrop of the tri-colour, accompanied by the instrumental rendition of the national song Vande Mataram, performed by Raghav Sachar.
Kohli also conveyed his appreciation, paying tribute to the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes on India’s 79th Independence Day. He wrote:
“Today, we smile in freedom because they stood with unwavering courage. We salute and honor the sacrifices of our heroes on this joyous Independence Day. Proud to be Indian. Jai Hind. Happy Independence Day.”
Much like the armed forces, Virat Kohli has been one of India’s fiercest warriors on the cricket field. The Delhi-born batter has risen to the occasion for the nation time and again. He played a pivotal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup, stepping up when the Men in Blue needed him most and ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.
Within the next 12 months, he added another feather to his cap by securing the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
“We owe everything to our heroes” – Virat Kohli praised the armed forces amid India-Pakistan tensions
Earlier this year, during the IPL, Virat Kohli expressed his gratitude to the armed forces for their resilience amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. His message came shortly after the T20 tournament was suspended for a week. At the time, he shared on his Instagram story (as quoted by The Times of India):
“We stand in solidarity with and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times. We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation. JAI HIND.”
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